Uber: recording is encrypted and held by a third party (Germano Lüders / Prime Time Zone)
A Uber announced on Tuesday, 23, that it is starting a test in Brazil to record on video some races held by app. The test takes place initially in the city of Aracaju, in Sergipe.
The filming does not depend on the installation of cameras in the car: the driver’s cell phone is used, who can choose to record the race using a partner app. In a note, Uber says that the function “is being tested as an alternative, scalable and free of charge, for the registration of trips with images by partner drivers. If implemented, the solution will be available to anyone who wants to drive with the app, anywhere.”
The test pilot is an Uber initiative in Brazil and, if successful, can eventually be tested in other regions. According to the company, the test begins first with some drivers from Aracaju and will be gradually expanded to all partners in the city, who will be able to choose between participating or leaving the recording test. Aracaju was selected for this test, according to Uber, because it is a medium-sized city that allows monitoring of the result.
Passengers will be informed in advance that the trip they requested will be recorded on video and, if they prefer, they can cancel and opt for an unrecorded trip.
Uber claims that both drivers and passengers do not have access to the recordings, and even the company can only access them after a formal complaint. “As with the audio recording feature, launched nationwide recently, the video recording will also remain encrypted on the cell phone, without anyone being able to access it,” said the note sent by the company.
When the file is sent by the driver, it will be stored in the “partner company”, which will have basic driver information, in addition to the time and date of the recording. “Only then will Uber – which has the encryption key – have access to the images. In addition to the call opened by the partner itself to request an investigation from Uber, only the competent authorities can request access to the images for Uber, in accordance with the law” .
Asked who is the partner company that will make and store the encrypted recordings, Uber said that the process will be done by the Sentinel app, developed by Grip Mobility, an American company specialized in developing solutions of this type for companies like Uber or Lyft , or even for insurance companies.
