Snap and verify: Loke and Goh at the launch of the passenger verification feature for the e-hailing app.In a bid to enhance safety for its drivers, Grab Malaysia is implementing facial recognition technology into its app.
Praising Grab’s initiative, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said it was keen to work with the private sector in exploring new technologies to enhance road safety for Malaysians. “Their selfie will only be used for one-time verification purposes and it will not be shown to drivers,” he said, adding that their personal data were protected under the Personal Data Protection Act.
On another matter, Loke said disabled drivers would be able to apply for the Public Service Vehicle licence from May, so that they could continue working after the July 12 ruling requiring e-hailing drivers to have a PSV licence. “We are talking about 300 to 400 such drivers and they will be given priority in terms of going for PSV courses,” he added.