Uber has discreetly launched a trial run of in-app video recording for its drivers in India, as confirmed by TechCrunch. This tool aims to prevent misconduct in a market where dashcams are not commonly used by drivers, according to Uber.
Half a dozen Uber drivers in the Delhi–NCR region shared with TechCrunch their encounters with misconduct from riders and the threat of false complaints regarding their behavior, which could result in penalties or account suspensions.
One driver, speaking anonymously out of concern for his account, mentioned, “Even female passengers traveling late at night insist on a different route than what the map shows. If we decline, they threaten to make false complaints.”
Drivers believe that the in-app video recording feature could offer protection by providing evidence during disputes. However, some are skeptical about Uber’s support in rider-related cases, noting that dissatisfied passengers, who pay for the trip, can easily switch to other platforms.
The pilot project, initiated in May and gradually introduced, is now operational in 10 cities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Lucknow, as confirmed by Uber to TechCrunch.
Riders are notified during the trip when video recording is in progress.
“All recordings are double-encrypted, stored on the device, and cannot be accessed by anyone — including Uber — unless a user chooses to share them as part of a safety report,” stated an Uber representative, adding that the recordings are automatically deleted after a week if not shared.
