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Seven eld ago , Uber and Lyft blocked an effort to require ride - herald app gadget driver to get fingerprinted in California . But by launchingUber for Teensearlier this yr , the company inadvertently resurfaced the issue .
Now a broader argument is afoot as startups , Uber , and California regulators hash out when a shipping armed service should be required to fingerprint its driver .
Uber for Teens launched in February in California , allowing kids aged 13 to 17 to order their own rides under a parent ’s account . Public documents show Uber reached out to the California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC ) seeking clarity on a 2016 ruling that said any Department of Transportation connection company whose business involved “ primarily transporting minors ” would need to enforce strict background checks for driver , admit fingerprinting .
What did “ primarily ” really mean ? Uber wanted to know . Was the Commission planning to update that term anytime soon ?
The timing has proved serendipitous for HopSkipDrive . The inauguration ’s main occupation involves helping school districts transport kids , but it also propose a mathematical product that let parents to Koran rides for their Thomas Kyd in onward motion , something that could be a direct contender to Uber for Teens .
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HopSkipDrive hasarguedthat Uber should have to adhere to the requirement import out in the 2016 ruling even though it does n’t “ primarily ” transport minors . To limit those requirements “ suggests that even one child , riding alone , should n’t be protected to the highest standards of safety , ” Trish Donahue , senior vice Chief Executive of sound and policy at HopSkipDrive , recount TechCrunch .
At the essence of the debate is whether Uber should be required to enter in the Department of Justice ’s Trustline program . Trustline is a registry maintained by the California Department of Social Services that uses fingerprint to screen caregivers for criminal collar and conviction . It also screen applicants against the Child Abuse Central Index , which contains paper of suspect kid vilification and nonperformance .
Uber ’s adolescent service does n’t make up a meaning share of its business — a representative told TechCrunch teen rides account for under 10 % of full rides — but that could modify in time . Regardless , Uber believe its own screening system , as well as safety feature included in Uber for Teens , such as live head trip trailing , is adequate to keep riders of any age safe .
“ We proactively lock the CPUC long before we launch adolescent report in California to see parents continue to have this pick when get their teens where they need to be , ” Uber tell TechCrunch in an emailed statement . “ While the regulative process will take prison term , we think the CPUC will see the value teenager accounts play to busybodied families and drivers and how rubber is embed into the experience . ”
Fingerprinting is a touchy subject for Uber . The ride - hail behemoth has a history of lobbying to fight back initiatives in city across the country that would mandate fingerprinting for its driver . Uber has argued that the inconvenience of require drivers to get fingerprinted discourage them from signing up to the platform . The company has also say that the FBI ’s fingerprint database often contains incomplete or outdated information , and that fingerprint curb disproportionately affect minority who are more probable to have been arrested , even if not convict .
Despite the fact that many major cities require fingermark background checks for taxi driver , Uber and its opposite number Lyft havelargely bring home the bacon in skirting those rule . ( Althoughnot in New York City . )
Uber argues that it does n’t need fingerprinting to ensure adequate scope checks . Aside from a motor vehicle report , Uber checks drivers for all deplorable convictions , including sexual offenses . The troupe say in a June filing with the CPUC that it also reruns both of those number one wood checks every year and “ monitor California drivers unendingly for indispose criminal offenses and driving violations . ”
Uber also said the party it uses for scope check , Checkr , look every Department of State and county where a equipment driver has lived or had any possible interaction with natural law enforcement .
Background checks aside , Uber tell its in - app experience for teen is gear toward prophylactic . Only the most experienced and extremely rated drivers are allowed to channelise teens , the ship’s company state . In plus , live slip tracking is enable for all teen ride , afford parent substantial - meter update as well as the driver ’s name , vehicle data and call for drop - off location .
Teens get into an Uber also have to give the number one wood a unique PIN that their parents set up , and drivers ca n’t start the tripper without it . In addition , if a parent gives microphone permissions , then all audio recording of the ride is mandatory and ca n’t be turned off .
Uber aver it pass more than a twelvemonth develop teen report and consulted with safety experts like Safe Kids Worldwide , a non-profit-making dedicate to protecting baby from preventable injuries .
The CPUC told TechCrunch the public comment point for this issue remains clear , with reply due July 12 . The way did n’t say when it expects to clear up its ruling .
