WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced the Safe and Private Rides Act, which would require transportation network companies (TNCs) to notify passengers when their driver has a video recording device in the car and give passengers the opportunity to opt out of riding with a driver with a dashcam, preventing rideshare drivers from violating passengers’ privacy:

“Passengers shouldn’t have to sacrifice their right to privacy the moment they step into a rideshare vehicle, and they deserve to know when they are being recorded,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Safe and Private Rides Act would increase transparency and ensure that both driver safety and passenger privacy are protected as more Americans take advantage of these services.”

“Millions of people around the country rely on rideshare services for transportation every day, whether it’s to the doctor, work, or the airport. Folks using rideshare services deserve to have peace of mind about their digital privacy during a ride, which includes knowing if they will be filmed before calling a ride,” said Senator Welch. “Our bipartisan Safe and Private Rides Act gives passengers using rideshare services straightforward privacy protections by allowing the option to opt out of a rideshare using video recording devices that record passengers.”

BACKGROUND

• Americans are increasingly using rideshare services as a form of transportation, and U.S. ridesharing profits are expected to generate $54 billion annually by 2027.

• In many American cities, rideshare drivers have expressed feeling uncomfortable and unsafe while driving and have turned to technology and dashcams to add a layer of safety. These dashcams, while beneficial for the driver, could present privacy concerns for passengers. In the past, some rideshare drivers have recorded their passengers and subsequently released the footage online, in a blatant violation of privacy. Passengers should ultimately have a right to know that they are being recorded and to opt out of riding in cars that utilize recording devices if they so choose.

• Rideshare companies have become a source of convenience and accessibility, and they are an example of American innovation. As they grow, their drivers should be able to use technology to protect themselves, and passengers should be able to make decisions to preserve their privacy.

THE SAFE AND PRIVATE RIDES ACT

• The Safe and Private Rides Act would increase transparency by giving passengers choice while preserving the driver’s safety.

• Specifically, the Safe and Private Rides Act would: 

• Require TNCs to notify passengers when their driver has a video recording device in the car;

• Require TNCs to give passengers the opportunity to opt out of riding with a driver with a recording device in the car; and 

• Grant the Federal Trade Commission the authority to enforce these transparency requirements.

Click here for bill text.