The new safety feature will help to ensure the right person is behind the wheel.

Uber drivers in Dubai will have to upload selfies for verification in a bid to make rides safer.

The ride-hailing company has launched a new security feature in the UAE aimed at preventing fraudulent trips, which will protect both drivers and passengers.

Designed using Microsoft Cognitive Services, the driver verification system will prompt drivers to share a selfie in the Uber app before they accept rides.

The software will work by comparing the selfie to the driver’s profile photo, to ensure the driver using the app matches the account.

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If they don’t match, the account will be temporarily blocked while Uber looks into the situation.

“At Uber, our number one priority is the safety of our driver-partners and riders,” Uber UAE general manager Chris Free said.

“After a very successful pilot programme in the US, we are delighted to be launching driver verification here in the UAE.”

The ride-hailing company recently updated its app with a number of new features, including the ability to schedule rides in advance, as well as providing up-front fare estimates.

While anything to do with improving rider safety gets a big tick from us, there are still some things we aren’t quite so happy with – you can check out our technology expert’s top four gripes with the updated Uber app here.

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