allworld.mediaNews from all over the world
Uber will implement video feature for parents to monitor teen rides
Read more
Tecnoblog
tecnoblog.net

Uber will implement video feature for parents to monitor teen rides

Uber is introducing a new feature in the app that will allow parents to monitor their children's rides in real time, aiming to increase safety during trips taken by teenagers and provide peace of mind to guardians.

This new feature will be added to the list of safety tools already activated by default on accounts designated for minors. These accounts already have a random PIN code that must be provided to the driver before the ride begins, in addition to U-Help, which is used to identify any abnormal situations during the journey.

It is important to note that, unlike audio recording, which can be activated by the user themselves, video transmission will depend on this feature being activated through the driver's settings.

Currently, this update is being implemented in the United States, with no immediate forecast for other markets, such as Brazil. However, since adolescent accounts are already available in Brazil, the functionality may be introduced in the future.

Video sharing occurs using the driver's front camera. Parents will receive a notification alerting them to the possibility of viewing the ride; if they accept, both the driver and the minor will be notified. The transmission is automatically interrupted as soon as the ride is finished.

According to Uber, only the guardian registered on the teenager's account will have access to the trip transmission, which the company describes as being 'encrypted'. However, the website TechCrunch points out that the service does not detail whether there is end-to-end encryption, which could hinder third-party intervention in the content.

The monitored profile for teenagers was launched in 2023 and offers safety measures for young people between 12 and 17 years old. This profile allows minors to have an autonomous account on the platform, managed by a guardian through the Family Profile.

When linking the profile, parents receive alerts whenever the teenager requests a ride, along with details of the route and their real-time location. Uber Teens had initial tests in Brazil in the same year as the launch in the US and underwent expansion in 2024. Currently, the service operates in 129 cities, covering all capitals.

Similar stories

Meta agrees to pay up to $16.68 billion for harm to children and adolescents
Read more
tecnoblog.net

Meta agrees to pay up to $16.68 billion for harm to children and adolescents

Meta has decided to pay up to $16.68 billion (equivalent to approximately 86 billion rubles) to settle allegations that its social networks are designed to encourage excessive use among children and adolescents. The agreement also includes changes to the operation of Facebook and Instagram, including implementing time limits and restrictions for underage accounts.

The lawsuit was initiated in August in a federal court in California, United States, by 29 states. Initially, authorities demanded penalties that could reach $1.4 trillion (7.2 trillion rubles).

Despite reaching a settlement, Meta denies committing any violations, according to a Reuters report. The company's defense argues that it could not mislead consumers because there is an official recognition of 'social media addiction' as a mental health condition.

As part of the legal settlement, the company commits to introducing new restrictions for users under the age of majority in the US. Furthermore, the design of these platforms has drawn the attention of Brazilian authorities with the enactment of the Digital Children's Law (ECA Digital) this year. Meta is also under investigation by the European Union for a similar issue.

The allegations claimed that Meta developed features intended to maximize the time children and adolescents spend online. Examples cited include infinite scrolling feeds, frequent notifications, and recommendation systems aimed at increasing usage time.

The process also linked constant platform presence to sleep and body image issues among youth. Prosecutors alleged that Meta collected data from users known to be under 13 without obtaining notification or consent from legal guardians, which violates the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)—the American equivalent of LGPD for children. The accusation states that this data was used to train systems such as generative artificial intelligence models.

Part of the settlement package also addresses cases related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Approximately $459 million (2.3 billion rubles) will be allocated to lawsuits filed by the states of California, Illinois, New Mexico, and Washington, D.C., concerning privacy violations.

Nevertheless, this agreement does not end the legal pressure on Meta regarding the protection of minors. The company continues to participate in other lawsuits in the United States alongside ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, Alphabet, responsible for YouTube, and Snapchat.

For instance, in New Mexico, a jury convicted Meta in March to pay $375 million (1.9 billion rubles), and in August, an additional fine of $567 million (2.9 billion rubles) was imposed for child safety violations. In another case concluded in March in Los Angeles, Meta and Google were found civilly liable for the mental health damage of a user who started using the platforms at age 9. Compensation in that case amounted to $6 million (30 million rubles).

Popular