Uber is giving parents a new way to keep an eye on their teenage riders: live video streaming inside the vehicle. The feature, now available in nine U.S. markets, lets a linked parent or guardian watch the ride in real time through the front-facing camera on the driver's smartphone. Uber plans to expand the capability nationwide over the coming weeks.
The new tool builds on Uber Teen Accounts, which launched in 2023 to give teenagers more independence while keeping parents connected to their trips. With live video, families get more than a moving dot on a map — they get a real-time look inside the car. Uber says the feature is designed for moments when parents want extra visibility, such as a ride taking an unexpected turn or running longer than expected.
When a driver has live video enabled, Uber sends a push notification to the linked parent or guardian at the start of the ride. Tapping the notification opens the live feed. Both the teen and the driver receive a notification when the parent begins watching, so everyone in the vehicle knows the stream is active. According to Uber, only the parent or guardian linked to the teen's account can view the live video during the trip, and the company says it cannot access the live feed in real time.
Privacy is a central question with any camera in a car, and Uber has outlined how the video is handled. The live stream is encrypted, and after the trip ends, neither the driver, the teen, nor the parent can access the recording. However, an encrypted copy remains on Uber's servers for up to 14 days, unless it has been shared as part of a safety report. Uber says it may access the decryption key when investigating a reported safety incident, and that access is limited to that investigation. If a file becomes part of a safety-related report, Uber says it will keep it according to its data retention policies.
Live video joins a suite of safety tools already available for teen rides, including live trip tracking, PIN verification, and audio recording. Uber says Teen Accounts have expanded to more than 50 countries since launching in 2023, with families using the service for tens of millions of trips every year. The company says the feature grew from feedback from parents and drivers who wanted more ways to stay connected.
For parents, the new option offers reassurance that a map cannot provide. But it also introduces a camera feed into the ride, and families should understand what happens to that video before making it part of their routine. Uber says only the linked parent or guardian can watch the stream live, and the company cannot access it in real time. Still, the encrypted recording can remain on Uber's servers for up to 14 days, and the company may access the decryption key during a safety investigation.
Parents considering the feature should also talk with their teens about how it will be used. Some may want to check the feed only when something seems off, while others may glance at it briefly at the start of a ride. The right approach depends on the teen's age and the family's comfort level with independence. Uber also reminds families that live video depends on whether the driver has the feature enabled, so availability may vary from trip to trip.