Uber is turning passengers’ phones into in-car recording devices as the ride-hailing giant introduces a new feature allowing users to capture audio during journeys amid growing concerns around safety and identity verification.

From Thursday, riders across the UK were able to press record before or during trips directly through the Uber app, with encrypted audio stored on their device for up to two weeks.

The recordings will only become accessible to Uber if uploaded as part of a formal safety report, while drivers will be notified if recording is activated and can cancel the journey without penalty.

The move marks a clear sign of how tech platforms are increasingly leaning on surveillance-style features and digital identity checks to reassure both customers and workers.

Uber is also introducing verified rider badges, allowing passengers to confirm their identity either through third-party database checks or by uploading government ID and a selfie. Drivers will begin seeing verification badges on rider profiles from next week.

The company said the changes were designed to provide “extra peace of mind”, as ride-hailing platforms face continued scrutiny over passenger and driver safety.

Uber UK general manager Andrew Brem said: “We are always investing in new ways to make journeys even safer. These new safety features provide both riders and drivers with extra peace of mind.”

“Riders can record the audio of their journeys securely, and drivers can feel more confident about who is getting in their car.”

Digital identity creep reaches ride-hailing

Digital verification tools become increasingly embedded across everyday services, from banking and deliveries to workplace checks and social media platforms.

Questions around identity and biometric data have intensified in recent months following a string of high-profile leaks involving passport scans and facial recognition systems.

Uber insists its recordings will remain encrypted and inaccessible unless submitted during investigations. If no report is filed, the files are automatically deleted after two weeks.

Lucy Duckworth, of Survivors Trust, said the features were “a positive step” towards creating a “safety-first culture”.

Meanwhile GMB, which represents thousands of private hire drivers, said verification badges would offer “greater confidence” for drivers accepting bookings late at night or in unfamiliar areas.