The private transportation platform Uber has updated its application to allow its driver partners to block users with low ratings due to their “disrespectful behavior.”
This new solution will be visible on the rating screen that drivers see at the end of a trip, showing an automatic block or the “optional block” option for future trips.
“Although traffic and stress can make us feel upset at times, at Uber we consider it essential that each trip using the app is completed with respect and peace of mind for everyone,” said Cecilia Román, Safety Communications Manager for the platform.
In parallel, the app offers a “minimum user rating” filter that driver partners can activate to only make trips for users with a certain rating.
This comes after a case went viral on social media in early February in which a user threatened an Uber driver partner with accusing him of sexual harassment if he did not change his way of driving in traffic.
Tell me how many stars you have and I’ll tell you…
In each trip through the Uber app, users and driver partners can rate each other with up to five stars in order to improve the experience on board, the application stressed in a statement.
This system has been in place since Uber arrived in Mexico in 2013, and starting this week, this update will be added in favor of drivers with which they will be able to block future trips to users with whom they have had unsatisfactory experiences.
This parameter can be modified at any time by the driver partner himself and is found in the driver partner app in the section ‘Trip Preferences’, section ‘User Rating’.
Thus, in the case of users with a one-star rating, the connection blocking between the two will be automatic. “A notice on the screen informs the driver that by giving this rating he will not receive trips from this user again,” the app specified.
In the case of users with a two or three star rating, the driver will have access to a button that allows them to “block future assignments”, avoiding meeting with them again.
Users can be permanently banned
In the event of a safety incident, drivers can report it from the app itself, and their report can be supported by features such as encrypted video and audio recording.
Conduct that violates the app’s Community Guidelines or terms and conditions can result in the permanent deactivation of an account, whether it be for drivers, female drivers, or male users.
“To achieve this, we promote compliance with our Community Guidelines among our entire community, which cover three principles: treat everyone with kindness and respect; help others stay safe; and respect the law,” added Román.
What is my rating and how can I improve it?
Users can find out the ratings they have received from the “Privacy Center” option in the app, available from: “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Privacy Center.”
From this section, by sliding to the right you can select “Do you want to see a summary of how you use the Uber app?” and scroll down to “Browse your data” and “See my ratings.”
To maintain a five-star rating, the transportation platform recommends that users do not slam doors and keep the car clean so that the next user does not start their trip with a bad experience.
At the same time, be ready when the driver partner arrives to start the trip, do not encourage the driver partner to break traffic regulations and avoid inappropriate comments, personal questions or other disrespect towards any person.
Source: milenio
