Uber Now Lets Parents Livestream Their Teen’s Ride — Here’s How It Works

Parents can officially do more than just track their teenager’s Uber on a map.

Uber is rolling out a new live video feature that allows parents and guardians to actually view their teen’s ride in real time through the driver’s smartphone camera.

Yes, you can basically FaceTime-check the Uber without actually FaceTiming anybody.

The new Uber teen safety feature launched August 25 in nine U.S. markets, including Orlando, and Uber says a nationwide expansion is coming in the next few weeks.

Here’s how it works.

How Does Uber’s Live Video for Teen Riders Work?

The feature is connected to Uber Teen Accounts, which allow teens ages 13 to 17 to request their own rides while remaining linked to a parent or guardian.

If a teen gets matched with a driver who has live video enabled, the linked parent or guardian receives a notification when the ride begins.

From there, the parent can open the Uber app and watch a live video feed using the driver’s phone’s front-facing camera.

Both the teen and the Uber driver are notified whenever the parent begins watching the livestream.

So no, Mom cannot secretly tune in from the couch.

Where Is Uber Live Video Available?

Uber launched the feature in nine U.S. markets:

Atlanta
Phoenix
Orlando
Raleigh-Durham
Portland, Oregon
San Antonio
Cleveland
Rhode Island
El Paso

For Florida families, Orlando is currently the first market in the state with the feature.

Miami and the rest of South Florida were not included in the initial rollout, but Uber says live video will expand to additional U.S. markets nationwide in the coming weeks.

Is Uber’s Teen Livestream Recorded?

Uber says privacy protections are built into the feature.

Only the parent or guardian linked to the teen’s account can view the livestream while the ride is happening.

The livestream is encrypted, and the teen, driver and guardian cannot access the recording after the ride is over.

Uber says it also cannot watch the livestream in real time.

An encrypted recording is stored for 14 days before being automatically deleted unless it is connected to a reported safety incident. Uber can access the recording as part of an investigation if a safety issue is reported.

Can Every Parent Watch Their Teen’s Uber Ride?

Not necessarily.

The live video option is only available when the Uber driver has enabled the company’s Record My Ride and livestreaming features.

Drivers can choose to disable live video, meaning the option may not be available on every teen ride.