Uber has begun quietly testing in-app video recording for drivers across ten major Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The rollout, confirmed by the company, is designed to address misconduct from riders and protect drivers against false complaints that can lead to penalties or account suspension.
Rising Driver Concerns
Drivers in India report facing increasing instances of rider misconduct, including demands to deviate from mapped routes and threats of fabricated complaints when refusing. One anonymous driver in the Delhi–NCR region described passengers insisting on unauthorized route changes late at night, leveraging the threat of false accusations to force compliance. This creates an imbalance of power, where drivers fear repercussions even when following protocol.
How the System Works
The video recording feature operates with built-in privacy safeguards. Riders receive an in-trip notification when recording is active, and all footage is double-encrypted and stored locally on the driver’s device. Uber itself cannot access the recordings unless a driver voluntarily shares them as part of a safety report. Unshared footage is automatically deleted after one week.
Expansion From Audio Recording
The pilot builds on Uber’s existing in-app audio recording feature, launched in India last year. Video recording was first tested in the U.S. in 2022 and is now available in Canada and Brazil. The expansion to India reflects Uber’s growing concern over safety incidents in the region.
Broader Implications
Uber faces a delicate balance between protecting drivers and respecting rider privacy. The feature’s success will depend on whether it effectively deters misconduct without creating an environment of excessive surveillance. The company has yet to announce a timeline for wider rollout, but the pilot’s performance will likely determine whether the video recording tool expands across India or to other markets.
The move underscores a broader trend of ride-hailing companies enhancing safety measures amid rising concerns over passenger and driver security. While video recording offers potential benefits, its long-term impact on trust and privacy remains to be seen