Uber rolls out on-device video recording in India
This comes as Uber tries to bridge the trust gap between drivers and riders with several safety features across markets.
Uber was originally designed to make getting around easier, a way to book a private ride from the comfort of your home without standing on the roadside waving at taxis. But as convenient as that sounds, there’s always been an underlying fear for anyone stepping into a car with a stranger and heading to an unfamiliar location. And that fear isn’t one-sided.
Drivers, too, often find themselves navigating late-night trips, unpredictable riders, and the constant pressure of keeping their ratings intact.
Over the years, Uber has tried to bridge this trust gap with several safety features across markets. The company has introduced things like real-time ride tracking in the U.S., audio recording in parts of Latin America, and even PIN verification in markets like South Africa, all aimed at reassuring both riders and drivers.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
Now, the company is testing something even more direct in India: on-device in-app video recording. It might sound like a small tweak, but it lands in a market where most drivers don’t use dashcams at all. And that’s exactly why this update matters.
Drivers in major cities like Delhi–NCR have increasingly complained about false allegations from riders, from disputes about routes to claims of “unprofessional behaviour” that could lead to penalties or even account suspensions. For many drivers, it isn’t just about defending themselves; their entire livelihood hangs in the balance.
This is where the new feature steps in. Drivers can now start video recording directly from the Uber app during a trip, and riders will get an instant notification saying recording is active. But importantly, the footage is stored only on the driver’s device and is double-encrypted, meaning neither the driver nor Uber can casually access it. No creepy surveillance, no accidental leaks; the video stays locked unless the driver chooses to share it during a safety dispute, and even then, Uber only sees what’s submitted. If the driver never reports anything, the recording quietly deletes itself after a week.
Uber isn’t totally new to this experiment. The company first tested video recording in the U.S. back in 2022 and later rolled it out to markets like Canada and Brazil. India is now the latest testing ground, with the pilot already live in 10 major cities, including Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and more, and so far, driver feedback suggests a mix of relief and cautious optimism.
While we don’t know yet how widely this will scale, one thing is clear: safety tech in ride-hailing is evolving. And if Uber’s pilot shows promise, it may push other platforms, in India and beyond, to rethink how to protect both sides of the ride.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
