Uber has begun quietly testing in-app video recording for drivers in India, marking one of the company’s most significant safety feature experiments to date. The pilot — revealed by TechCrunch — is currently running across several major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai.
According to TechCrunch’s reporting, the feature allows drivers to record video directly through the Uber app, with passengers receiving a clear on-screen notification when recording is active. Uber told the outlet that the video files are saved only on the driver’s phone, protected with double-encryption, and automatically deleted after seven days unless the driver chooses to submit them during a safety investigation.
The company says the tool aims to support drivers facing disputes or false accusations — a long-standing issue in India where dash cams are far less common compared with markets like the UK or US. TechCrunch also notes that the feature builds on Uber’s existing in-app audio recording, rolled out in India in 2023, alongside earlier video-recording pilots tested in the United States, Canada and Brazil.
Privacy concerns have already been raised in the Indian press, with some outlets highlighting potential challenges around passenger comfort and local data-protection laws. But Uber insists the system is designed so that neither Uber nor riders can access recordings unless the driver voluntarily submits them.
DM News Commentary
This is a notable step for the global ride-hailing industry. If Uber eventually rolls out in-app video recording worldwide, it could reshape expectations for both driver protection and passenger privacy.
For UK private-hire drivers, the move raises questions around compliance with GDPR, council licensing rules and wider public acceptance of in-car recording. It also highlights that major platforms are increasingly shifting towards built-in evidence tools, not relying solely on external CCTV systems.
Whether features like this eventually reach the UK remains unclear — but the direction of travel is obvious: more recording, more digital safeguards, and more scrutiny from regulators.
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