May 01, 2015
Ride-sharing service Uber has introduced a new SOS feature to immediately connect riders in India with local authorities in the event of an emergency, according to a post on the company blog.
The SOS button connects riders directly to local police, while also sending critical trip information such as GPS location, rider information and driver information.
"After an intensive and successful period of beta-testing in Kolkata, we are in advanced discussions with authorities in multiple cities across India to deploy this solution in the coming weeks. We welcome the opportunity to partner with more Police departments around the country to ensure your safety, and encourage law enforcement agencies to embrace new technology and improve accountability and traceability in urban mobility," the post reads.
The safety upgrade follows a rape case involving a driver in Delhi last December, after which the company released a set of rider protections in Delhi.
It is unclear whether the SOS police feature will be available in the U.S.
“We test and experiment new technology solutions all over the world just as we do in the U.S., and each has a unique schedule,” Molly Spaeth, of Uber’s communications team, told CBS San Francisco.
