Uber passengers can record audio on app if they feel unsafe

Uber has introduced a new in‑app audio recording feature that allows passengers to capture their journey if they feel unsafe, as part of a wider package of safety updates rolling out across the UK.

Passengers can now start an encrypted audio recording before or during a trip using a button in the app. The file is stored on the rider’s device and cannot be accessed by Uber unless the passenger chooses to upload it as part of a safety report. If no report is submitted, the recording is automatically deleted after two weeks.

Drivers will be notified if a passenger activates audio recording before the journey begins and may cancel the trip without penalty. Uber says this transparency is intended to protect both riders and drivers.

The company is also launching a new verified badge for passengers. Riders who upload an official ID and selfie, or whose details are checked against third‑party databases, will have the badge displayed on their profile from next week. Drivers will see this verification when a booking request comes in — a change welcomed by driver groups who say it will increase confidence when accepting jobs.

Andrew Brem, Uber’s UK general manager, said the updates are part of ongoing investment in safety:

“These new safety features provide both riders and drivers with extra peace of mind. Riders can record the audio of their journeys securely, and drivers can feel more confident about who is getting in their car.”

It has been reported that the measures have been welcomed by local transport minister Lilian Greenwood, who said they would help strengthen public confidence in private hire services. The Survivors Trust also praised the move as a step toward a “safety‑first culture” that empowers people to challenge unsafe behaviour.

Driver representatives, including the GMB union, said the verification badge in particular is a long‑requested improvement that will make drivers more likely to accept bookings, especially at night or in unfamiliar areas.