has extra security options for the platform. The firm already permits drivers and passengers in 14 nations to report the audio of their rides, and now the function is coming to the US. It will pilot audio recordings in three US cities beginning later this month.

Before they get in a automotive, riders will see within the Uber app whether or not their driver has opted into — you’ll be able to cancel the journey when you do not need to be recorded. You can seize audio by tapping the protect button on the app’s map display screen and selecting the Record Audio possibility. Everyone can report particular person journeys, and drivers have the selection to depart the function on the complete time they’re out there for rides.

Although the recordings are saved on riders’ and drivers’ gadgets, they will not be capable to hearken to them. The recordings are encrypted and Uber says it could actually’t entry them until a driver or rider submits a security report with an connected audio file. A security agent can decrypt and hearken to the recording after they overview the report, after which take acceptable motion if essential.

Uber in Latin America two years in the past. It says nearly 70 p.c of drivers and riders surveyed in Rio de Janeiro felt safer when utilizing it.

In addition, Uber plans to remind riders to buckle up with audible seat belt alerts at the beginning of a visit. The driver’s cellphone will present the audio reminder and the rider will see a notification on their very own gadget. Uber says it would roll out the function throughout the US in early 2022.

On prime of that, Uber has upgraded its RideCheck function, which and makes use of GPS and sensors within the driver’s cellphone to detect attainable crashes and abnormally lengthy stops. The function can now determine when a visit unexpectedly goes on a special route or ends earlier than the vacation spot the rider entered into the app.

If RideCheck flags a attainable drawback, Uber will ask the rider and driver if all the pieces is so as through a notification. If not, they’ll faucet the or report the issue to Uber.