Tech

Uber Ghana launches safety audio recording feature

Published

1 year ago

August 19, 2023

Ride-hailing platform, Uber has announced launching a safety audio recording feature in Ghana which is aimed at allowing both riders and drivers to record audio during trips.

General Manager for Uber in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, Marjorie Saint-Lot, who announced the launch of the feature, said it was in response to demands by drivers who had been clamouring for the opt-in audio recording device following the success it had recorded since it was launched in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, as part of Uber’s efforts to raise the bar on safety.

“We believe that this feature will improve the conduct of users of the Uber app, as drivers and riders hold each other accountable every step of the way,” Saint-Lot said.

“We have rolled this feature out in other markets where it has proven very successful, and we are hoping to see a similar uptake in Ghana.

“Verbal altercations, sexual misconduct and other violations can be difficult to investigate without evidence, however, we are confident that through this new feature, will assist Uber in adjudicating such incidents to ensure that the appropriate action is taken,” Saint-Lot said.

He added that Uber believed the audio recording would improve the overall quality of evidence collected on the safety cases reported by both riders and drivers.

“This means that both riders and drivers will have the ability to record the trip and submit their recordings alongside the safety tickets they’ll submit. By logging a safety incident along with a recording, the rider or driver gives Uber permission to access the file for investigation purposes,” he said.

“As an addition to the suite of safety tools on the app, this feature enables the rider or driver to opt-in to record the audio of a trip at the start of or anytime during the trip by pressing the shield icon on the app and selecting Record Audio.

“While both riders and drivers can record the audio of individual trips, drivers have the option to leave the feature on while they’re actively seeking rides.

“We’re always looking at ways to improve safety on the app. All trips are GPS-tracked, RideCheck can detect unusual routes, your loved ones can follow your route in real time, and you can get private emergency help through the app at the push of a button.

“We’ll keep working to develop and deliver new features to help enhance the safety and give users more peace of mind when using Uber”, he added.

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Tech

Kenya’s ticketing startup BuuPass partners Flexpay for flexible travel payments

Published

11 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan digital ticketing startup, BuuPass, has entered into a partnership with goal-based savings platform, Flexpay, to offer customers flexible payment plans ahead of holiday travels as well as simplify travel planning and ease the financial burden of holiday travel for Kenyans.

Co-founder and CEO at Buupass, Sonia Kabra, who unveiled the package at a press conference, said the collaboration between the two platforms will allow travellers to save for their journeys in manageable, interest-free installments over four to 12 weeks.

“Travelers can select their travel dates, book tickets, and pay a small deposit upfront, with the remaining balance spread across weekly or monthly payments,” she said.

“This approach offers a stress-free way for families and large groups to secure their tickets early, helping them avoid last-minute price hikes as fares are locked in.

“By partnering with Flexpay, we’re giving travelers the flexibility to budget for their trips in advance. This initiative aligns with our mission to make travel accessible to everyone, providing a solution that meets customers where they are financially,” said Kabra.

Also speaking at the event, Richard Machomba, CEO and founder of Flexpay, said:

“Flexpay’s mission is to empower individuals by providing accessible financial solutions that make it easier for them to achieve their financial goals.

“By partnering with BuuPass, we’re making travel more accessible and stress-free for Kenyans, especially during the holiday season when expenses can be overwhelming,” Machomba added.

Founded in 2016 by Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.

FlexPay, on the other hand, is an online and offline payment gateway that allows merchants to offer interest-free targeted savings to their customers in Africa.

Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has filed a criminal case against the European subsidiaries of tech giant, Apple, accusing them of illegal mineral exploitation and allegedly using “blood minerals” in its supply chain.

In the suit filed on Tuesday, the DRC alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-ladden east and Rwanda, zones in which it allege the materials are mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices.

The DRC suit specifically mentioned Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.

The DRC is a major source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten which are used in electronic devices, with some mines controlled by armed groups responsible for human rights violations.

International lawyers representing the African country’s government have accused Apple’s local subsidiaries of taking these minerals from conflict areas and laundering them through international supply chains, with one lawyer telling journalists that Belgium had a moral duty to act given its history of exploiting the country’s resources under colonial rule.

However, in its response, Apple claims it conducts supplier audits and does not directly source primary minerals.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1262670-dr-congo-sues-apple-over-alleged-illegal-mineral-exploitation