Uber improves in-app safety features in India


Uber has updated its in-app safety features for its mobile app. The online taxi hailing service has added a new Help button that connects riders instantly to local authorities in case of an emergency.

Uber

The in-app SOS button has been replaced by a new Help function. A single tap on the button will allows riders to trigger a real-time Safety Emergency alert to Uber and the local authorities in the rare event of an emergency or incident during an Uber trip.

  • Riders will have the option to connect with the police via a phone call.
  • Instant alerts with complete rider, driver and trip information are sent to
    1. The local Police authorities in cities that have deployed our SOS alert solution and
    2. Our Incident Response Team that is on standby 24×7 so our response agents can monitor the trip in real-time, provide instant phone support and relay critical trip information to the police.

uber_india app

An automated text message is sent to pre-selected Emergency Contacts with detailed trip status; allowing them to monitor the trip in real-time via GPS. Uber has been in a fix since last year when a women passenger was allegedly raped by an Uber driver. The company has since taken multiple steps to improve rider safety like re-verification of all driver partners with the police across cities, added a panic button establishing a dedicated local Incident Response Team that is on call 24×7 to handle critical situations and sharing live GPS location with pre-selected emergency contacts and so on. Last month, the company rolled out a feature that secures the phone numbers of the riders and drives for a better privacy.

Uber said that the latest Help feature will launch today and become available for riders across India on both iOS and Android over the next few weeks.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?t=2&v=ted6Ff_YcEQ


Author: Sneha Bokil

Sneha Bokil is a tech enthusiast and is currently using OnePlus 3T but she still treasures her Nokia N70 (M). You can follow her on Twitter @snehabokil and on Google+