Amazon’s delivery drivers now use selfies to verify their identity

Amazon is now using facial recognition to verify its delivery drivers’ identities. 

Specifically, the change applies to people who drive for Amazon Flex, the retail giant’s program that allows contract workers to deliver Amazon packages using their own cars. Now, Amazon will start verifying their identities using a combination of selfies and facial recognition.

The new development was reported by The Verge after the Amazon Flex app began notifying drivers they needed to start taking selfies in the app. Amazon has said the change is meant to reduce fraud and ensure only people authorized to deliver packages are able to access Amazon Flex.

In the FAQ section of its website for Flex, Amazon states, “we use your photo for identification.” “This can include making sure it’s you who is doing the delivery and using your picture to identify you to customers and station staff. The photo is also used on your in-app ID card.” 

Since Amazon Flex drivers are independent contractors — they use their own cars set their own schedules — an additional layer of verification could help Amazon keep tabs on its workers. 

Amazon isn’t the first company to use facial recognition with a contract workforce. Uber introduced its own selfie feature in 2016. Uber’s version requires drivers to snap a selfie before the start of each shift in order to prove they are indeed the person driving their car and picking up passengers.