Uber Launches Audio Recording Safety Feature in South Africa

A spate of violent attacks on Uber passengers and drivers in South Africa has prompted the company to develop a new safety measure tool to reduce such incidents.

In response to the incessant attacks on Drivers and riders, Uber South Africa has launched an audio recording safety feature that enables riders and drivers to record the trip for evidence collection, in case of safety incidents.

The in-app function will be piloted in the South African cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg from September 8, 2022.

According to Uber sub-Saharan Africa GM, Kagiso Khaole, while speaking at a press event, he disclosed to journalists that the new audio-recording feature tool will improve the overall quality of evidence collected on the safety cases reported by riders and drivers.

He said; “By logging a safety incident along with the recording, the rider or driver gives Uber permission to access the file for investigation purposes.”

“We believe this feature will improve the conduct of users of the Uber app, as drivers and riders hold each other accountable every step of the way,” he continued.

The feature, which allows users to press the shield icon on the app and select ‘record audio’, which has been requested by drivers at previous roundtables that the company has hosted.

“The audio file is encrypted and stored on the respective rider and driver’s devices, but no one can listen to the audio – not even Uber. The audio can only be accessed and listened to if the rider or driver decides to submit a safety report,” Khaole explained.

He added that the company is always looking at ways to improve the safety of the app, citing that all trips are tracked.

“The RideCheck feature can detect unusual routes and loved ones of users can follow their route in real-time, and they can get private emergency help through the app at the push of a button,” Khaole concluded.