Uber has initiated trials for an in-app video recording feature intended for its drivers in India, representing one of the company’s most important safety measures in the region recently. This experimental tool, which was introduced discreetly in phases, aims to tackle a longstanding issue among drivers—the worry of being blamed for incidents they did not cause. While dashcams are commonly used in various international markets, most Indian drivers lack such equipment, prompting Uber to pursue a smartphone-based solution that does not necessitate additional hardware. According to a report from TechCrunch, the pilot program commenced in May and has now expanded to ten major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Lucknow.
Drivers eligible in these areas can enable video recording during their rides, with passengers receiving an immediate in-app notification that the trip is being recorded. For many drivers, this feature arrives at an opportune moment. They often encounter delicate situations where minor disputes can rapidly escalate into serious accusations. A Delhi-based driver, who wished to remain anonymous to protect his job, expressed his worries about late-night rides, mentioning, “Even female passengers traveling late at night insist that we follow the route they desire instead of what’s indicated on the map. If we decline, they threaten to lodge false complaints.” Such allegations—regardless of their validity—can lead to penalties or temporary bans from the platform, significantly impacting a driver’s earnings.
Numerous drivers believe that the video tool could offer essential context in disputes, providing concrete evidence instead of relying solely on verbal accounts. However, some express reservations. They are concerned about how Uber will assess incidents when recordings are submitted, pointing out that passengers ultimately pay for the service and may choose rival platforms if they feel uneasy. Nevertheless, Uber asserts that privacy has been a primary concern during the feature’s development. The company states that recordings are stored only on the driver’s device and are “double-encrypted,” ensuring that neither Uber nor any outside entity can access them unless the driver elects to share the footage as part of a safety complaint.
If the video is not submitted, it is automatically erased after seven days. This method resembles Uber’s in-app audio recording feature, which was launched in India last year. The company initially trialed video recording in the US in 2022 and has since implemented it in countries such as Canada and Brazil. The expansion of this pilot indicates a significant moment for Uber in India, where safety continues to be a major concern for both riders and drivers. While video recording may help alleviate friction and clarify misunderstandings, it also ventures into a sensitive domain where privacy expectations vary among users.
As the tool is introduced in more cities, Uber will carefully assess feedback to establish whether the feature builds trust or induces discomfort. The company has not provided a timeline for a nationwide rollout. For now, the upcoming months will serve as a vital testing phase to determine if in-app video recording will become a permanent element of Uber’s safety measures in India or remain confined to specific regions.
