Widely popular ride hailing app Uber is updating its app to add a new chat feature. With this new chat feature riders will be able to chat with their drivers without having to use text messaging or calling options. This change will improve user privacy as now user won’t have to share his or her phone number with the driver.
Uber is also thinking about its drivers with this feature roll out, as the app will read the messages aloud to the driver so they are not distracted as they are driving towards their destination. They will also be able to respond with a thumbs up message by simply tapping on the screen.
The new chat feature was first considered due to lack of voice plans and free text messages in several countries the service operates in. Since users were charged when they tried to contact their drivers over call or texts, the company thought of a way to let them communicate with drivers free of cost.
While this feature is targeting markets where users are charged for calls and SMS, it is also useful for increasing user privacy worldwide and when a user is traveling to another country.
The chat feature will be rolling out to iOS app soon if it hasn’t already. You can download the update for free from the App Store.
