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Uber to Introduce Facial Recognition Tech for Rider Safety

Using Microsoft's facial recognition software, Uber will prompt drivers to take a selfie to verify the right person is behind the wheel.

(TNS) -- Uber is rolling out a new security feature to make sure a driver behind the wheel is the same one who passed the company's background check.

Starting Friday in Portland, the Uber app will randomly prompt drivers to take a selfie before hitting the road. The app's software will compare that to the photo Uber has on file, and if things don't match up, the driver's account will be suspended while Uber investigates.

"Real-time ID check protects both riders and drivers," Uber said in a statement. "It prevents fraud and helps protect drivers' accounts from being compromised. It protects riders by building another layer of accountability into the app to ensure the right person is behind the wheel."

It said the feature was pilot tested over the past several months. It uses facial-recognition technology developed by Microsoft.

©2016 The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.