Safety net: Uber introduces number masking feature

Even as the Delhi transport department continues to deny a licence to the app-based taxi services due to inability to adhere to regulations, taxi aggregators are introducing new safety features to attract riders.

Uber on Thursday announced the introduction of a number masking feature on its platform. This feature will ensure that mobile numbers of its customers remain undisclosed to drivers, and vice versa. Ola had announced a similar feature earlier this week.

"We are deploying our disguised phone number technology in India. This ensures that all calls between riders and driver-partners are connected using anonymous phone numbers, so both sides can communicate with each other to coordinate a pick-up without revealing their personal phone numbers," Uber said in a statement. It added that the disguised phone number technology has been tested with hundreds of driver partners in cities across India and will be rolled out soon.

"This new safety technology will help provide increased security before, during and after the ride," added the Uber India safety lead, Deval Delivala.

Last week, Ola had launched a similar feature on its platform. Much like the number masking of Uber, Ola Cabs too has introduced number masking and traceability of calls. According to an Ola official, it has integrated a cloud telephony solution, which sends an encrypted number to the driver, whenever a customer books a cab and all further communication from the driver is channeled through this number.