Uber has introduced new safety preferences for riders to maximise the ride-hailing service’s “in-app safety features,” the company has said.
According to Uber, a recent survey found that more than half (53%) of women feel unsafe walking alone at night. This feeling of insecurity can extend to using ride-hailing services, especially for late-night trips.
Uber acknowledged these concerns by introducing a new in-app feature, “Safety Preferences,” which aims to empower riders, particularly women, to prioritize their safety during trips.
Uber: How new safety preference works
This feature on Uber allows riders to choose up to four safety features that automatically activate based on time or location. For example, you can set them to turn on for all trips, trips after 9 pm, or even every time you leave a bar or restaurant.
The available customisable safety features include:
- RideCheck: This feature monitors your trip and sends an in-app message to see if everything is okay if your ride deviates from the planned route, makes unexpected stops, or ends early. You can also choose to receive these check-ins more frequently.
- PIN Verification: Riders can opt to receive a four-digit PIN code that the driver must enter before the trip begins. This ensures you’re getting into the correct car.
- Audio Recording: Riders have the option to record audio during their trip. These recordings are encrypted and securely stored on the rider’s device, inaccessible to the driver, Uber, or anyone else until a safety incident is reported and the rider chooses to share it.
- Share My Trip: This allows riders to automatically share their live location and trip details with a chosen friend or family member for added peace of mind.
Users can access and manage your preferences through the Uber app settings or by tapping the safety shield icon during a trip.
These safety preferences are currently available in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, but Uber has disclosed that there are plans to expand to more countries soon in the coming weeks.
