Uber's New Feature: Parents Watch Teen Rides Live

Uber is introducing a new live video streaming feature for its Teen Accounts, enabling linked parents or guardians to monitor their teen's rides in real-time. This feature, which utilizes the driver's smartphone front-facing camera, is currently available in nine U.S. markets and is slated for a nationwide rollout in the coming weeks.

Both the teen and the driver receive notifications when a parent begins watching the live feed. Uber asserts that the company itself cannot access these streams live. Encrypted recordings are stored on Uber's servers for up to 14 days and are automatically deleted unless shared as part of a safety report. In such cases, Uber may access the decryption key solely for safety investigations.

This new tool expands on existing safety features for teen rides, such as live trip tracking and PIN verification. Uber stated that Teen Accounts, launched in 2023, have facilitated tens of millions of trips annually across more than 50 countries. The live video aims to offer parents greater reassurance beyond simply tracking a dot on a map.

Parents are advised to discuss the use of live video with their teens and ensure other safety features remain enabled. While the live view is temporary, the encrypted recording offers a limited post-ride record for safety purposes. The feature's availability also depends on drivers enabling it.