Uber Launches Live Video Streaming Feature for Teen Riders

On Tuesday, Uber introduced an innovative feature for live video streaming aimed at helping parents monitor their children’s safety during rides. This new feature will be available nationwide in the upcoming weeks.

The streaming option makes use of the driver’s selfie camera to deliver a live video feed. Once a ride begins, the parent or guardian linked to the teenager’s account will receive a notification indicating that the video stream is available. Should they choose to watch it, both the driver and the teenager will be notified as well.

Uber states that only parent or guardian accounts associated with the teen’s profile will have access to the live video stream. Friends riding with the teenager will not have the ability to turn off the video feed.

After the ride concludes, access to the video will be revoked for everyone, including the driver, the teen, and their parent or guardian. While Uber asserts that the video is “encrypted,” it remains unclear whether this implies end-to-end encryption, which would prevent Uber from accessing the footage. An Uber representative did not provide further details when approached by TechCrunch.

Currently, this feature is operational in nine cities, including Atlanta, Cleveland, and Rhode Island, with plans for broader distribution throughout the U.S. soon.

Uber launched teen accounts in the U.S. in 2023, and this feature has since expanded to over 50 countries.