Uber Unveils In-App Video Recording in India to Bolster Driver Safety

Uber has launched an in-app video recording feature on a pilot basis for its drivers across India. According to information shared with TechCrunch, this feature aims to address safety concerns and disputes—particularly because most drivers do not have dashcams installed in their vehicles.

Several Uber drivers in the Delhi–NCR region reported that they often face the risk of having their accounts suspended due to passenger misconduct or false allegations. One driver shared that, especially at night, some female passengers insist on following a route of their choice and threaten to file false complaints if the driver does not comply.

Drivers believe the in-app video recording feature could serve as evidence in such scenarios. However, some remain sceptical about whether Uber will prioritise passenger interests during disputes, as passengers pay for rides and can easily switch to other platforms if dissatisfied.

Uber stated that the pilot, which began rolling out gradually in May, is currently active in 10 cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Lucknow. Passengers receive a separate notification if video recording is active during their trip.

A company spokesperson explained that all recordings are doubly encrypted and inaccessible to anyone—even Uber—unless the user chooses to share them while submitting a safety-related complaint. If not shared within one week, the recordings are automatically deleted.

The video recording tool is an advancement of the in-app audio recording feature introduced in 2023. Initially tested in the United States in 2022, the video feature is already operational in Canada and Brazil.

In a large market like India, balancing safety with privacy concerns may pose a significant challenge for Uber. Whether the feature will expand nationwide or to other regions will depend on assessments conducted over the coming months following the pilot phase.

DBTech/BMT/OR