Uber, Lyft Defend Apps in Face of Human Trafficking Concerns

Uber and Lyft said they're committed to safety after a bipartisan group of senators wrote the companies with concerns about human trafficking of minors (see 2306140065). Uber has partnered with experts to “provide drivers with education on how to spot the signs of human trafficking and report it,” the company said Wednesday in a statement. “Our dedicated Public Safety Team stands ready to assist law enforcement however we can with investigations.” Teen accounts have features for parental supervision and safety, including PIN verification, trip tracking for parents and access to an Uber safety line, the company said. Unaccompanied minors aren’t permitted in Lyft vehicles. The company said it has “developed safety features for ridesharing that go beyond anything that previously existed for other transportation options. These include professionally administered background checks, in-app photos of drivers and their vehicles, real-time ride tracking, 24/7 support, the ability to share your ETA, and more."