Uber quietly pilots in-app video recording for drivers in India

Uber has initiated a pilot program for in-app video recording to enhance driver safety in India, as confirmed by the company. This new feature aims to address issues of misconduct in a market where dashcam usage is low. Several Uber drivers in the Delhi-NCR area have reported experiencing misconduct from passengers, with some facing threats of false accusations that could result in penalties or account suspensions. One anonymous driver highlighted a common scenario: 'Even female passengers traveling late at night insist that we follow the route they want instead of what’s shown on the map. If we refuse, they threaten to file false complaints.' This feature is seen as a potential safeguard for drivers, allowing them to provide evidence during disputes. However, some drivers expressed concern about whether Uber would support them in conflicts with riders, given that passengers pay for the service and can easily turn to competitors if dissatisfied. The pilot program, which began its phased rollout in May, is currently active in ten cities across India, including major metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Passengers are notified when video recording is active during their rides. According to an Uber spokesperson, all recordings are encrypted and stored locally on the device, ensuring they remain inaccessible to anyone, including Uber, unless the user decides to share them for safety reporting. Recordings will be deleted automatically after one week if not utilized. This video recording tool builds on the existing audio recording feature that Uber introduced in India earlier this year. The concept was initially tested in the U.S. in 2022 and is also available in Canada and Brazil. As the pilot expands, Uber faces the challenge of balancing the benefits of this feature in mitigating disputes against the broader implications for privacy and surveillance in one of its key markets. The timeline for a wider rollout of the video recording feature remains uncertain, with its future likely dependent on the pilot's success over the coming months.