Ride-hailing service, Bolt, has introduced a new safety feature aimed at increasing passenger safety. The new feature, called the driver selfie verification, aims to combat driver impersonation, which has been a challenge across the ride-hailing industry.
The driver selfie verification feature requires all drivers on the Bolt platform in various countries in Africa to take a selfie and verify their identity before going online. The selfie will be matched against the local authority database to ensure that the correct driver is behind the wheel.
Drivers will also be prompted occasionally to share a live selfie to ensure that the correct driver is behind the wheel while online.
The driver selfie verification feature is just one of the steps Bolt has taken to ensure the safety of its platform. Bolt has also introduced a feature requiring riders who request from previously identified high-incidence hotspots to take a selfie of themselves before requesting a trip. These measures aim to consolidate the overall safety of the Bolt platform and enhance driver-rider trust.
Bolt recently announced that it has surpassed 1 billion rides in Africa in just seven years and expects the number of drivers on the platform to hit over 1 million in the next six months.
Part of this announcement included the company’s plans to invest €500 million in its operations in the continent over the next two years. These funds will be used to expand Bolt services in Africa as well as introduce new features on the platform to tighten safety.
By verifying the identity of drivers before they go online, Bolt is combating driver impersonation and fraud, which could compromise the safety of the platform. Additionally, Bolt’s investment in safety features, such as the driver selfie verification and the rider selfie feature, will enhance driver-rider trust and contribute to the overall safety of the platform.
