Sep 30, 2019
Uber testing feature that lets "uncomfortable" passengers tape ride
Photo: Michal Fludra/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Uber is testing out a feature that will let uncomfortable riders audio record their trips and send it to the company, according to Jane Manchun Wong, a developer known for reverse engineering apps to find unreleased features.
Why it matters: The rideshare company has been criticized for the safety of its app and for its handling of violence, sexual harassment and assault during rides.
- Earlier this year, a University of South Carolina student was killed after entering a car she mistook for an Uber.
- In 2018, an Uber driver shot and killed a passenger in Denver.
- Also that year, two women filed suit against the company over allegations that lax vetting practices had led riders to a number of dangerous situations.
The big picture: The company has recently rolled out a number new safety features in an effort to quell concerns. These include a feature that allow users to send text messages to 911 dispatchers from within the app and an option for riders to verify their driver's identity with a unique pin.