Uber is pleased to introduce Audio Recording as its newest safety feature in Ghana. According to feedback from roundtable meetings, drivers have been requesting a feature that allows both passengers and drivers to capture audio while travelling.
As part of Uber's continued attempts to raise the bar on safety, this new opt-in audio recording technology has been successfully implemented in nations like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.
The rider or driver can choose to opt-in to record the audio of a trip at any time by touching the shield symbol on the app and choosing "Record Audio" as an addition to the app's collection of safety features. Riders and drivers can both record the audio of specific journeys, but drivers can choose to keep the feature turned on when actively looking for rides.
Both drivers and passengers will be aware that this function is accessible to others, but only the passenger will be informed when matched with a driver who has activated audio recordings. When the feature is in use, the driver won't be aware of it. Even Uber cannot hear the audio because it is encrypted and stored on the smartphones of the respective rider and driver. Only if the driver or passenger chooses to submit a safety report may the audio be heard. An experienced Uber safety agent will decrypt and listen to the audio file if it is attached.
Its in-app solution works with a driver or rider's phone and doesn't require any additional hardware, making it simple to use and accessible at the push of a button.
"We believe that this tool will enhance the behaviour of users of the Uber app, since drivers and riders hold each other accountable every step of the way," says Marjorie Saint-Lot, General Manager for Uber in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. We launched this feature in other markets where it has been quite popular, and we anticipate Ghana will experience a similar acceptance.
According to Uber, the audio recording will generally raise the standard of the evidence gathered in relation to safety situations that are reported by both drivers and passengers. This implies that both passengers and drivers will have the option of recording the trip and submitting it along with their safety fines. The rider or driver provides Uber permission to examine the file for investigation purposes by logging a safety incident along with a recording.
But, we are convinced that this new tool will help Uber in deciding such cases to guarantee that the proper action is taken. "Verbal altercations, sexual misconduct, and other breaches can be difficult to investigate without evidence," says Saint-Lot.
After the recent release of Safety Check-Up, which encourages users to activate the in-app safety features Women Rider Preference, Trusted Contacts, Verify My Ride, and RideCheck, audio recording was added.
Uber sees this as another step in the right direction and wants to do its part to give drivers and passengers the peace of mind they need as they move from point A to point B.
"We're continually looking for methods to increase safety on the app," Saint-Lot said in his conclusion. Every trip is GPS monitored, RideCheck can identify unusual routes, your loved ones can trace your path in real time, and you can instantly request private emergency assistance through the app. We'll continue to develop and provide additional features to help improve safety and provide people with more confidence when using Uber.
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