Uber to ID-check UK riders by default unless they opt out by 4 June

Uber will run UK riders through identity checks against third-party databases by default unless they opt out by 4 June 2026, under a new Verified Badge system rolling out across the ride-hailing platform.

The company will partner with GBG, its UK identity service provider, to cross-check rider account information including names and phone numbers against trusted databases.

Verified riders will receive a Verified Badge visible to drivers when they request a trip, with Uber positioning the feature as a way to support cash-based bookings and give drivers more confidence at pick-up.

Riders whose details cannot be confirmed automatically can choose to submit a government ID and a live selfie, though Uber said this step remains optional and the company does not store copies permanently after verification.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe when travelling, whether they are a passenger or a driver,” said Lilian Greenwood, Local Transport Minister.

“I welcome Uber taking further steps to strengthen safety on its platform, giving people greater confidence when using private hire services, and showing how technology can help make everyday journeys safer,” she said in a statement on Wednesday (27 May).

Riders who prefer not to take part have until 4 June 2026 to opt out, after which the verification process applies automatically to their accounts. Uber confirmed that opting out does not affect a rider’s ability to book trips but means the account will not display a badge.

Drivers face separate identity checks when they join the platform, and the company asks them to verify themselves in real time on an ongoing basis to confirm that registered drivers are the ones behind the wheel.

The verification rolls into a wider safety overhaul aimed at addressing repeated calls from driver groups for stronger controls on passenger identity.

The GMB union confirmed it had been pushing Uber to introduce rider verification for some time, with one of its branch secretaries welcoming the move publicly.

The Survivors Trust, which represents rape and sexual abuse support services in the UK, also backed the rollout.

Uber launched the Verified Badge in the United States in September 2024 through a pilot covering 15 cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Miami and Philadelphia, before extending it nationwide.

The company said it had blocked about 15,000 rider accounts with fake names during the US programme.

Uber also reported that verified riders tend to give drivers 5 stars more often and get fewer serious complaints from drivers compared with unverified ones during the pilot phase.

UK drivers will see only a rider’s first name, star rating, Verified Badge and trip details once the system is live.

Last names and phone numbers remain hidden from drivers under the existing setup, and Uber stated that information collected through GBG will only be used for verification and safety purposes.

The company has not disclosed how many UK accounts it expects to verify automatically versus those that will need to provide ID and a selfie.

The Verified Badge launch sits alongside other recent safety updates at Uber, including an audio recording feature for UK passengers that lets riders capture audio of their journey through the app.

Recordings remain encrypted on the user’s device and are only accessible to Uber if uploaded as part of a safety report, with content deleted after two weeks if no report is made.

Drivers receive a notification when audio recording is activated before a trip and can cancel the booking without penalty.

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