Uber to roll out a feature where drivers and customers can talk through the app directly

Uber is set to roll out a new feature wherein drivers and customers can talk to each other through the app directly, without seeing each other’s numbers. Pradeep Parameswaran, the President of Uber for India and South Asia, announced the company’s intention to launch the feature in India. The anonymity calling feature is already up and running in Australia and South Africa. Additionally, the ride-hailing company is also set to expand its existing operations in India.

The anonymous calling feature is sure to be a hit in the Indian market, given the high number of cases of drivers harassing customers, especially female customers by calling them and making lewd comments. This is possible because drivers are able to get their customers’ numbers whilst using the app. The anonymity calling feature will prevent the customers as well as the drivers from seeing each others’ numbers. India has garnered a reputation for an abnormally high rate of violence against women and consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous countries for women.

Parameswaran also said that India is rapidly growing to be the largest market for pooling rides in the world. Moreover, Uber continues to grow as a preferred platform for ride-hailing in India, over its regional rival Ola.