Waymo Robotaxi's surprise age checks spark fresh concerns over rider privacy and data use

Waymo’s driverless robotaxi service recently left a woman rider surprised after the vehicle’s assistant interrupted her ride to verify her age and confirm that she met the platform’s passenger requirements. While many online treated the incident as an amusing anecdote, it has also reignited questions around surveillance and data collection in autonomous vehicles.

A TikTok video posted by content creator Addi (@ihaveahottake) went viral, amassing more than 1.8 million views. The clip highlights an issue that several Waymo riders have reportedly experienced during their trips.

In the video, the Waymo assistant can be heard asking Addi mid-ride, “Are you over the age of 18?” After she confirms that she is, a representative speaking through the car’s speakers follows up by asking, “Are you the account holder?” Once Addi confirms again, the representative thanks her and resumes the ride.

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Why is Waymo verifying riders’ ages?

According to Waymo’s guidelines, riders must be at least 18 years old to use the app and travel alone, with limited exceptions. In the Phoenix area, teenagers aged 14 to 17 are allowed to ride through linked teen accounts managed by parents. To enforce these rules, Waymo has reportedly introduced random mid-ride age verification checks, which have also caught many adult riders off guard.

The checks have since become a running joke online, with several users treating them as unexpected compliments. Many riders took to social media to share their reactions. Seema Amble, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, posted on X after being asked to confirm her age during a ride: “Is this the new version of getting carded? Should I be flattered?” Another rider joked that she should share her skincare routine after Waymo mistakenly flagged her as potentially underage.

What data can Waymo access?

The repeated age checks have also led users to question how much information Waymo collects and stores. A report by The Guardian noted that Waymo vehicles are equipped with cameras facing both inside and outside the vehicle. While the external cameras help the car navigate roads safely, the interior cameras are described by the company as customer support tools, with the footage remaining within Waymo’s systems.

Reports suggest that, in recent years, Waymo has received at least nine search warrants from law enforcement agencies in San Francisco and Arizona seeking access to vehicle footage. Since many such requests come with gag orders, the public often does not know how the footage is ultimately used.

Riders agree to a privacy policy before using the service, and Waymo says it only complies with law enforcement requests when legally required. Beyond camera footage, users have also raised concerns about pickup and drop-off location data, which could potentially be shared with authorities during emergencies. However, the sudden rise in rider verification checks has now brought renewed attention to privacy concerns surrounding autonomous ride-hailing services.