Uber is cracking down on customers who give dangerous scores simply to get refunds

Uber drivers (and riders) want to keep up a excessive score to maintain utilizing the app, however dangerous actors can pull that rating down. Some could even give a driver or courier a poor score for a superbly effective trip or meals supply simply to allow them to get a refund. Uber says it is doing extra to sort out that drawback and to make the platform fairer and safer for riders and couriers.

The corporate says it has established new programs to pinpoint customers who make complaints solely in an effort to get a refund or different appeasement. Uber says any allegations that these flagged customers make won’t affect a driver’s score or play a think about account deactivation choices. The corporate notes that this builds on a coverage it is had since 2017 to discard low scores for points which are outdoors of a driver’s or courier’s management, corresponding to heavy site visitors.

Elsewhere, drivers and couriers will obtain clearer data as to why Uber deactivated their account. They will be capable to ask Uber to evaluate the choice and embrace any particulars that will assist their case, corresponding to video or audio recordings. As well as, drivers within the US who’ve been accused of working their automobile below the affect of medication may have the choice of taking a take a look at to show their innocence. Uber will cowl the price of the drug take a look at.

These are a part of quite a lot of measures Uber is bringing in to make the platform safer and fairer for drivers. For one factor, the corporate is increasing its File My Trip function to extra cities within the US. Drivers in additional areas will be capable to use their iPhone’s front-facing digital camera to seize video of their journeys. As with the audio recording function that is now out there nationwide, nobody may have entry to an encrypted video seize except a driver sends it to Uber for evaluate.

In one other safety-oriented replace, Uber says that in 2024 it would “considerably increase verification of rider identities to match rider account particulars towards trusted information sources or an ID doc.” Ultimately, it would begin informing drivers whether or not the rider they’re set to choose up is verified. The thought is to offer drivers extra peace of thoughts earlier than they settle for a visit.

Different updates Uber has introduced embrace Android Auto integration so the Uber Driver app may be accessed on a bigger display screen. That builds on earlier CarPlay integration.

Drivers will quickly be capable to share real-time site visitors and route data that different drivers can entry, whereas data on roadworks, crashes and lane closures which are sourced from TomTom are routinely factored into Uber’s urged routes. In the meantime, couriers can now see if there’s free parking near their vacation spot they usually can entry extra details about their drop-off level, together with photographs of the constructing or door.