Uber has begun testing an in app video recording feature for drivers in India as part of a major safety initiative. The trial started in May and has expanded to ten cities. These include Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Jaipur and Lucknow. The feature aims to support drivers who fear being blamed for incidents they did not cause. While dashcams are common in some countries, most Indian drivers do not use them, and Uber believes that an in app recording tool can help close this gap.
Drivers in the pilot cities can turn on video recording during a trip. Riders are immediately informed through an alert in the app. Uber confirmed the feature after several drivers in the Delhi NCR region shared concerns about passenger misconduct and the risk of false accusations.
Many drivers have welcomed the feature. They say disagreements can sometimes escalate into serious claims. A driver from Delhi, who requested anonymity, said that late night trips can be stressful. According to him, “Even female passengers traveling late at night insist that we follow the route they want instead of what is shown on the map. If we refuse, they threaten to file false complaints.” Such claims can result in penalties or account suspension, affecting a driver’s income.
Drivers believe the tool can provide evidence during disputes, offering a clear record instead of relying only on spoken explanations. Some still have questions about how Uber will handle conflicts when recordings are submitted, noting that passengers pay for the service and may shift to other platforms if dissatisfied.
Uber says the video tool has strong privacy protections. Recordings remain on the driver’s device and are double encrypted. They cannot be accessed by anyone, including Uber, unless the driver chooses to share them while filing a safety complaint. If the video is not shared, it is automatically deleted after seven days. The system follows the same structure as Uber’s in app audio recording feature introduced in India last year. Uber has also tested video recording in countries like the United States and later expanded it to Canada and Brazil.
The pilot marks a significant step for Uber in India, where safety is a major concern for both riders and drivers. The company will closely monitor how both groups respond as the feature reaches more cities. There is no confirmed timeline for a full rollout. The coming months will help determine whether the tool becomes a permanent safety feature across India or stays limited to select locations.
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