Rideshare drivers put their lives and livelihoods on the line every time they accept a request. Unlike drivers, who must pass background checks and upload government‑issued identification, riders can open accounts with nothing more than a phone number and email address. They can choose any name—“NBA,” “Meow Meow,” “The man,” “Dark Vader” or “KINK86”—and pay with untraceable gift cards making it easy for would‑be criminals to hide their identities.

This petition urges Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, Lyft CEO David Risher, state regulators (including the California Public Utilities Commission and similar agencies across the U.S.), and policymakers to make identity verification mandatory for all riders. Doing so would bring fairness to a system where drivers shoulder all the risk and ensure accountability when crimes occur.

Why This Matters

Real Drivers, Real Harm

Cleveland (January 2021) – Lyft driver Cynthia Norman was pinged to pick up a rider named “NBA.” Two men wearing masks got in her car. Moments later they ended their four‑minute ride at a deserted sports arena and told her, “This is a carjacking, get out,” punching her in the. The phantom “NBA” was never a real person; he was a fake name used to lure a victim.
St. Louis (April 2021) – 45‑year‑old Lyft driver Elijah Newman was shot and killed. Police later testified that the teenager charged with his murder used a fake name (“Robert”) in the Uber app. When investigators arrived at the scene, a bullet casing lay next to Newman’s body.
Nationwide Trend – Investigations by The Markup found 124 carjackings or attempted carjackings of ride‑hail drivers in 18 months, and more than 60 percent occurred after Uber’s or Lyft’s algorithms matched drivers with. At least 11 drivers died and dozens more were permanently. The FBI warned drivers in 2024 that “criminals are using fake profiles to conceal their identities” before carjacking.

A System Designed for Anonymity

Attorney Bryant Greening notes that Uber and Lyft “allow people to use fake names and not upload pictures,” giving criminals a sense of anonymity. Drivers have long complained about “phantom profiles” with aliases like “The man” or “KINK86”.
Riders need only a phone number and email to sign. Both can be spoofed with burner phones and throw‑away emails, and riders can pay with untraceable gift cards or prepaid. Drivers, by contrast, must provide a government‑issued ID, undergo background checks and post their photo and real name in the.
Optional Verification Isn’t Enough
Uber introduced an optional “Verified” badge in September 2024, cross‑checking rider accounts against third‑party databases or government. Lyft has been piloting a similar program in limited. While these steps are welcome, verification remains voluntary, leaving drivers to guess whether the person getting into their car is who they claim to be.

Would You Let a Stranger Behind the Wheel?

Rideshare companies expect drivers to act like taxi operators while using their personal cars. Imagine:

Airlines allowing passengers to board a plane without showing ID.
Hotels letting guests pick any name and pay with a prepaid card without a passport or driver’s license.
Rental car agencies handing over a vehicle to someone who signs “K” and pays cash.
None of these industries would accept that level of anonymity because lives and property are at stake. Rideshare drivers deserve the same basic protection.

Our Demands

Mandatory identity verification for all riders – Riders should upload a government ID and a selfie before requesting a ride, just as drivers must, with periodic re‑verification.
Ban fake names and anonymous payment methods – Eliminate the use of alias names, emoji names and untraceable gift; freeze existing accounts until a real name is provided.
One account per person – Prevent riders from creating multiple accounts with different names or numbers; link accounts to verified identities.
Improve data‑sharing with law enforcement – When crimes occur, companies must respond promptly to police requests and proactively flag repeat.
Expand safety features for drivers – Continue the national rollout of “Verified” badges and record‑my‑ride tools, but make them standard rather than optional.

Who Should Act

Uber and Lyft leadership – CEOs Dara Khosrowshahi and David Risher can implement mandatory rider verification, remove phantom profiles and make the “Verified” badge a requirement.
State regulators (e.g., CPUC) – Regulators can mandate that rideshare companies verify riders’ identities, just as they regulate background checks for drivers.
Lawmakers – Legislators can pass laws requiring identity verification and data‑sharing protocols to protect gig workers.
Conclusion
Drivers are essential workers who keep our communities moving. They deserve the same protections we expect in other transportation and hospitality industries. By signing this petition, you are demanding that rideshare companies and regulators make safety and accountability a priority. Let’s ensure that no driver has to accept a passenger named “NBA”, because behind every fake name is a real person who should be held accountable.