US Federal Senate Bill SB1654

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/7/25
• Refer: 5/7/25

Caption

Safe and Private Rides Act

Summary

The Safe and Private Rides Act would require transportation network companies such as ride-hailing platforms to give passengers notice when a driver’s vehicle contains a camera that records video images of passengers. It would also require those companies to provide an easy, prominent way for customers to opt out of being matched with a car that has such a camera, and to let riders revoke that choice through an accessible mechanism in the app or another easy-to-find location. The bill also directs companies to require drivers to register passenger-recording cameras with the platform, notify passengers of registered cameras, and create a process for handling violations, including complaints from riders who were recorded without notice or matched with a camera-equipped vehicle after opting out. It limits retention or transfer of passenger recordings to narrow purposes such as reporting criminal activity, insurance, or compliance with terms of service, and it defines transportation network companies broadly while excluding carpools, vanpools, and certain government- or nonprofit-operated services.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would create new federal requirements for ride-hailing and similar app-based transportation companies operating in interstate commerce, effectively setting a national disclosure-and-opt-out standard for passenger-recording cameras in rideshare vehicles. It would also make violations an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act, giving the Federal Trade Commission enforcement authority and subjecting companies to FTC remedies and penalties. The requirements would take effect 180 days after enactment and would not apply to shared-expense carpools, vanpools, or certain dedicated microtransit services.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a consumer privacy and safety bill rather than a punitive restriction on rideshare services. Its bipartisan sponsorship suggests some cross-party appeal, likely centered on transparency and passenger choice. No formal vote history or transcript is available here, so there is no documented opposition or support beyond the bill’s stated purpose.

Contention

The main policy tension is between passenger privacy and driver/company safety practices. Supporters would likely emphasize notice, consent, and the ability to avoid being recorded, while critics may argue that cameras can deter assaults, document incidents, and improve accountability for drivers and riders. Another possible point of contention is the operational burden on transportation network companies, which would need to track camera-equipped vehicles, update app interfaces, and manage opt-out matching and complaint systems. The bill also raises questions about how broadly passenger recordings may be retained or shared, and whether the FTC is the appropriate enforcement mechanism.