Uber Introduces In-App Audio Recording for Passenger Safety in Ireland
Uber has introduced an in-app audio recording feature for passengers in Ireland to enhance safety. Recordings are encrypted, stored on the passenger’s device, and can be shared with Uber’s safety team after a trip. Drivers are notified if a passenger has enabled recording and can decline the trip.
Uber has launched a new in-app audio recording feature for passengers in Ireland, allowing them to record trips if they feel unsafe. This option is accessible via a new ‘safety toolkit’ within the app.
The audio is encrypted and stored on the passenger’s device, inaccessible to both passenger and driver. It can only be reviewed by Uber’s safety support team if the passenger shares it after the trip. Unshared files are deleted after 14 days, and deleted recordings cannot be recovered by Uber.
Drivers are not notified during a recording but are informed when matched with a passenger who has enabled the feature. Drivers can decline trips if they do not wish to be recorded without affecting their cancellation rate.
Kieran Harte, head of Uber Ireland, stated that the feature prioritizes safety and privacy, aiming to enhance rider security and support investigations. Uber has operated in Ireland since 2014, with over 6,000 drivers as of June 2024, functioning strictly as a taxi dispatch app requiring licensed drivers.