Uber's upgraded SOS button will send real-time alerts to Police Control Rooms

Uber, the cab aggregation platform which introduced an SOS button in the aftermath of the Uber rape case, has upgraded the feature in India. When that SOS button is pressed now, it will send real-time information on the cab's location and driver's details to the Police Control Room, instead of dialling 100 for you.

Simply put, the SOS button will automatically generate and flash an alert containing all the details to the Police Control Room.

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," a blog post on Uber's website said.

Uber has been piloting this service in Kolkata. "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 week," the blog added.

Uber also applauded the fact that the Commissioner of Police, Government of West Bengal, City of Bidhannagar, has passed 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."