Grab’s selfie verification mandatory for all passengers beginning 12 July 2019

To create a safer environment for both passengers and drivers, Grab has introduced mandatory selfie as a part of their regulatory requirement. Passengers are required to submit a one-time selfie photo of themselves as a form of identity verification and this will be mandatory beginning 12th July 2019.

According to Grab, the selfie is meant for identification, safety and it can be used to assist authorities when required. Grab assures that your selfie and your identity is secured and it will not be shared with their driver-partner or merchants.

For better control and privacy, the app will always request permission before it can access the camera on your smartphone. According to Grab, the app may request for an additional selfie for verification purposes when required to do so.

When taking a selfie, the app will show a guideline to frame your head as well as your shoulders. After it’s aligned, it will even ask you to move your head up and down as a way to ensure that you’re not holding a photo in front of the camera.

The facial recognition system was deployed for new Grab user registration since March 2019. In the recent murder case involving a Grab driver in Sabah, it was reported that the selfie verification feature has assisted PDRM’s investigation which led to the arrest of two suspects in the case.

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