Two months ago, we introduced upgraded technology in-app, including an SOS button to immediately connect you with local authorities in the rare event of an emergency while on an Uber ride. Our teams have worked tirelessly in recent months to make sure that not only are you able to connect with law enforcement at the push of a button, but that the authorities have critical real-time information they need to take action.

Now, when you push the SOS button, two things will happen:

1. You are immediately able to connect with local law enforcement on the phone
2. A real-time ‘SOS alert’ is automatically generated and sent directly to the local Police control room.

What does the SOS Alert contain?

The instantaneous alert contains critical trip information including exact vehicle location (tracked via GPS). This information is projected on a dedicated screen in the control room of local law enforcement which has been set up by Uber’s safety experts. This latest tech upgrade to the existing SOS feature enables the police to act within seconds of being alerted in the rare event of an emergency, when every second counts.

Control Room Setup Tested in Kolkata

Now, with the help of our advanced technology solution, local Police will be able to track your SOS alert real-time within your city.

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.

When asked about these type of collaborations, the former Commissioner of Police, Delhi,  BK Gupta said, “It is important that industry and law enforcement take a strong collaborative approach towards ensuring passenger safety. Uber’s efforts to this end are highly commendable; their technology solutions which bring unprecedented transparency, traceability and accountability are making moving around cities safer. Partnerships like these, where all stakeholders work together as a team with the best interests of the community at heart, will go a long way in making India safer.”

We again applaud the vision shown by the Commissioner of Police, Government of West Bengal, City of Bidhannagar, for passing an order regulating on-demand transportation technology aggregators as technology companies under the IT Act, 2000 and putting the safety of citizens first. This first-step was significant in making our vision for an advanced alert solution a reality for law enforcement authorities across India.

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.