Uber launches 'Record My Trip' feature to capture video and audio of entire cab rides

Booking a cab through an app worries many people. Sometimes there is a quarrel over the fare, sometimes the driver misbehaves, and sometimes serious incidents occur. Against this backdrop, Uber has launched a new safety feature called 'Record My Trip'.

The feature will record the entire journey, from the moment a passenger gets into the cab until they get out. Uber had to take this decision after some recent bad incidents. It will make it easier to act immediately against anyone who breaks the rules or behaves improperly.

Uber India said the feature has a single purpose: if something goes wrong during a trip, it can be investigated properly. Both video and audio inside the cab will be recorded, but the recording will remain fully encrypted.

This means that neither the driver, nor the passenger, nor Uber itself will be able to view the footage directly, during or after the trip. The footage will stay locked. Who, then, will see it? If there was a quarrel or any wrongdoing during the trip, the police or a legal investigating agency can obtain the footage by making an official request. It can then serve as evidence.

Passengers will also get the option to start the recording themselves from their app. This will bring transparency to Uber rides and deter wrongdoers.

The issue drew greater attention after an incident in Gurugram. A woman software engineer was travelling from Delhi airport to her home in Gurugram. She had booked an Uber, and the app showed a fare of Rs 625.

On reaching her home, the driver showed another app and demanded Rs 1,479. When the woman refused to pay more, the driver held her luggage in the vehicle. He abused her, followed her to her home and also threatened to kill her.

Police registered a case and arrested the driver, a 24-year-old named Yasir. He was running the account under a false name. Uber has also removed him permanently.

The problem of drivers' false identities is also surfacing in Noida and other cities. The app shows one name while someone else drives the vehicle, and the name on the licence differs from the one on the app. A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court over this. The court has told the companies and the government that drivers should be thoroughly vetted, their real identity shown on the app, vehicles tracked, and immediate help given as soon as the SOS button is pressed. These measures are to be made necessary, rather than mandatory.

Beyond safety, Uber has also opened new avenues of earning for drivers. A driver can now deliver parcels as well as carry passengers, transport pets, and in some cities ride an Uber bike. A pass called 'Earn First, Pay Later' has been introduced for them, meaning drivers earn first and pay for the pass later. This will make it easier for new drivers to start work.