Lyft testing pilot program for rider verification in Chicago

CHICAGO — Lyft is launching a pilot program for rider verification next month in Chicago.

The process will work by cross-referencing rider information with third-party data sources to confirm that the person requesting a ride is who they claim to be.

Riders who aren’t automatically verified will be asked to upload a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license.

“We want Lyft to be the safest way to get around,” said Audrey Liu, EVP of Rider Experience and Community Safety at Lyft. “The Rider Verification program is a direct response to what our driver community has been asking for—a way to enhance their peace of mind and ensure they can trust who they’re picking up. Rider verification can help drivers confirm that riders are who they say they are, and is an important step in Lyft’s work to help everyone feel more secure and increase accountability within our entire community.”

It will begin in Chicago on Sept. 4. Eight other markets were selected as well.

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