Uber adds live video streaming so parents can watch teens' rides

Uber said Tuesday it is introducing a live video streaming feature that lets parents keep an eye on their children’s safety during rides. The feature will roll out nationwide across the U.S. in the coming weeks.

The livestream uses the driver’s selfie camera for the video feed. Once a ride starts, the linked parent or guardian account receives a notification if a video stream is available; if they choose to watch, both the driver and the teen are notified. Only parent or guardian accounts linked to a teen’s account can view the stream — there is no way for other passengers riding along with the teen to opt out of appearing on the feed. Once the ride ends, no one — including the driver, the teen, or the parent or guardian — retains access to the video.

Uber described the video as “encrypted,” but it’s unclear whether the encryption is end-to-end, meaning it’s unclear whether Uber itself could access the recording. A company spokesperson did not answer when TechCrunch asked.

The feature is currently live in nine markets, including Atlanta, Cleveland, and Rhode Island, with nationwide U.S. availability expected over the coming weeks.

Uber launched teen accounts in the U.S. in 2023 and has since expanded the feature to more than 50 countries.

Why it matters

The feature adds a new layer of family-safety tooling to ride-hailing as Uber’s teen-account base has grown to more than 50 countries, though the unresolved end-to-end encryption question leaves open how private the footage really is.