Uber Technologies Inc. on Wednesday added a panic button and tracking features to its taxi hailing app in India after the U.S.-based company was banned in New Delhi last year in the wake of rape allegations against one of its drivers.
Uber’s India app now has a “send status” feature to enable passengers to share ride details with their contacts in real time. The app also has an “SOS” button to call the local police directly.
A spokesman said the functions were the first market-specific safety features launched by Uber. The company planned to launch safety features in other countries soon.
“Safety concerns tend to be unique for each local market. We recognised the demand for these features in India,” the spokesman said. Uber was banned in New Delhi in December following the rape allegations and the authorities issued rules that required all taxis to be equipped with a physical panic button.
However, Uber resumed operations in January and has since said it has stepped up background checks on all its drivers. The app is available in several cities.
Uber is fighting bans in France, Spain and South Korea for alleged violations, including using unlicensed drivers. It has also had to contend with rape allegations against drivers in Chicago and Boston.
Uber rape case
Key Developments
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- › Uber employs over 4,000 unverified drivers >Read More
- › Uber drivers: Why punish us for the actions of one man >Read More
- › Petition urging Uber to stop double standards goes viral >Read More
- › Had warned govt. against Uber, claims taxi association >Read More
- › Delhi police questions Uber official >Read More
- › Verification certificate of driver leaves police red-faced >Read More
- › Radio taxis banned. >Read more
- › Media pressure behind Uber ban? >Read more
- › Delhi govt bans Uber taxi operations >Read more
- › Delhi Police file FIR against Uber for cheating >Read more
- › Investigation reveales driver was accused of sexual assault in 2011. >Read more
- › Police arrest the cab driver, criminal action likely against the cab company >Read more