uber to launch new women’s safety feature in the U.S.

Six years ago, Uber introduced a feature in Saudi Arabia that allowed women drivers to request female riders only, TechCrunch reported. Since then, this “women preferences” feature has expanded to 40 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, and Mexico. In the coming weeks, Uber will pilot this feature in the U.S., starting in Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

The new feature lets women riders set a preference for a female driver in the app, making it easier for them to match with women drivers. If the wait is too long, they can choose another option. Women drivers can also select a “women rider preference,” which they can turn on or off as they like.

Companies like Uber and Lyft have struggled with safety issues for years. In 2021 and 2022, Uber reported 36 physical assault fatalities, leading the company to introduce several safety features, such as rider verification and audio/video recording. Uber is also trying to attract more women to drive, and this feature could help increase both women riders and drivers. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!