Uber for Teens Has Re-Sparked the Longstanding Debate About Fingerprinting Drivers

Seven years ago in California, Uber and Lyft successfully opposed a proposal to mandate fingerprinting for ride-hailing app drivers. However, the recent introduction of Uber for Teens earlier this year has reignited this debate.

A larger conversation is unfolding now among Uber, startups, and California regulators about the criteria for mandating driver fingerprinting in transportation services.

In February, Uber for Teens was introduced in California, enabling children between the ages of 13 and 17 to request rides via a parent’s account. According to public records, Uber reached out to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) seeking clarification on a 2016 directive that transportation network companies “primarily transporting minors” enforce fingerprinting as a way to make background checks for drivers stricter.

Uber sought clarification from the Commission regarding the definition of “primarily” and inquired about any potential updates to this term in the near future. This inquiry initiated a period for public input, prompting support from competitors like HopSkipDrive, a startup specializing in rideshare services designed for children.

HopSkipDrive has seen the timing work in its favor. While the startup primarily aids school districts in transporting children, it also provides a service enabling parents to schedule rides for their kids ahead of time, potentially competing directly with Uber for Teens. Participating in the public feedback process gives HopSkipDrive a unique chance to subject Uber, a dominant rival in ride-hailing, to the same regulatory scrutiny faced by the startup and traditional taxi firms.

Uber has been putting its efforts behind enhancing trust and confidence among parents by introducing new features that offer greater control and peace of mind when teenagers use the app for rides or Uber Eats orders.

In March, Mariana Esteves, product manager at Uber, said, “Teen accounts are built with transparency in mind so that there are no surprises for parents, teens, or drivers. We’re thrilled to offer this innovative feature to families in more cities across the US, with key safety features built into the heart of the experience. Whether their teen is getting a ride to an internship or heading home after soccer practice, parents will receive real-time notifications and can follow along with live trip tracking every step of the way. We’re committed to helping keep teens safe and getting families moving.”