Taxi aggregator Ola said that it introduced number masking on its platform, which will enable mobile numbers of customers to remain undisclosed to drivers.
The aggregator integrated a cloud telephony solution, which sends an encrypted number to the driver whenever a customer books a cab.
Drivers calling from their Ola device will not be able to see the customer’s mobile number but will automatically be routed through the encrypted number, the company said in a release.
The number masking feature is active for driver-partners in all cities where Ola operates, it added.
With this, calls made by the > driver-partners can be traced by Ola from archived recordings at all times, Ola said.
The company’s driver-partners will not bear the cost of calls made to customers, since they would be routed directly through the device, the firm said and claimed that this was a first of its kind step in the industry towards ensuring complete privacy of user’s contact details.
Ola had earlier said that it has set >aside USD 20 million towards safety initiatives in the current year.
“The number masking feature brings enhanced privacy for users, >reducing the risk of any untoward experience for them.
While driver-partners can save on their calling costs, we will be able to closely monitor drivers behavior and conversations, resulting in a superior experience for users,” Ola COO, Pranay Jivrajka said.
