Uber rolled out its new SOS button in India on Wednesday as it looks to boost security measures following the alleged rape of a customer by one of its drivers.
After introducing tougher background checks for its drivers in India, the company said earlier this week that it would add a panic button to its app. The feature, which enables users to make an emergency call to local police in two taps, became available in India on Wednesday, and the company says it would eventually be available worldwide.
The San Francisco-based company also released the “Send Status” feature in India, which allows users to share details about their driver and route with up to five contacts in a move intended to increase accountability.
Uber has faced safety concerns around the world, and a woman who says she was raped by an Uber driver in New Delhi in December is suing the company in a U.S. federal court.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Noah Rayman at noah.rayman@time.com