Bolt and Uber Introduce In-App Audio Recording and Safety Measures

Ride-hailing companies have been facing significant safety challenges, impacting both riders and drivers. These challenges encompass a range of issues such as violence, disputes, and sexual assaults, and they have been prevalent not only in Africa but also in the United States and other regions worldwide. To address these concerning matters, these companies have taken proactive steps by introducing several safety features into their apps. These measures are designed to bolster security throughout rides and include options for trip sharing, emergency assist buttons, real-time selfie verification, and speed limit alerts.

Audio Recording Feature: A New Safety Measure

In July 2023, Bolt, a prominent ride-hailing company, announced the introduction of an in-app audio recording feature in Nigeria and South Africa. Soon after, Uber followed suit and partnered with a Nigerian company, Sety, to offer a similar audio recording feature. While Didi , another ride-hailing giant, has already made audio recording mandatory in certain regions since 2018.

How Does In-App Audio Recording Work?

The audio recording feature can be activated by either the driver or the rider at any point during the trip. However, the recording process only functions during the ride and automatically stops when the trip concludes. Once initiated, recordings cannot be paused or terminated before the trip ends, though incoming calls will temporarily pause the recording. Importantly, the recorded data remains encrypted and inaccessible to both the driver and the rider, but it is stored locally on the user's device.

Automatically, recordings are set to be erased after a 24-hour period, which means users must report any incidents within this timeframe. In the event of a safety concern during a trip, users have the option to report it, and they can make reference to the recording which will be uploaded to the company's internal system to assist in investigations. It's important to note that recordings under investigation will be retained for seven days, unless expressly authorized by a Bolt employee.

The introduction of audio recording adds an additional layer of security for both riders and drivers. It can expedite dispute resolution, particularly in cases of sexual harassment or assault, where determining fault can be challenging based solely on verbal accounts. The availability of audio evidence can be invaluable for both ride-hailing platforms and law enforcement agencies.

Addressing Concerns over User Privacy

While the audio recording feature is seen as a positive step toward improving safety, it also raises concerns about user privacy. Bolt claims to have a robust privacy program in place, including conducting privacy impact assessments before launching new features, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The company is also actively raising awareness about the feature through various channels.

While in-app audio recording offers enhanced security, it may not address all safety concerns. Victims of robbery or rape may be unlikely to use their devices during such traumatic events, rendering the feature less effective in those cases. Bolt acknowledges that the audio recording feature should be combined with other safety measures to achieve maximum impact.

The future adoption and effectiveness of in-app audio recording and other safety features rely heavily on the ride-hailing companies' wholehearted dedication to swiftly and efficiently addressing reported incidents. The pivotal aspect that will determine user trust and utilization of these safety measures lies in the seamless implementation of background checks and proactive management of cases. These steps are essential to instilling confidence among users and encouraging wider acceptance of the safety measures at hand. By conscientiously undertaking these measures, ride-hailing platforms can take a momentous stride towards tackling the long-standing safety concerns that have beset the industry.