What perfume do you use? Kerala woman's uber ride turns creepy, sparks privacy debate | PHOTOS

Viral News: A woman in Kerala has ignited a debate about passenger privacy after an Uber driver allegedly contacted her on WhatsApp to ask about her perfume.This incident raises concerns about data protection and safety within ride-hailing apps, prompting calls for stricter privacy measures and greater accountability.

Perfume Inquiry Raises Red Flags

Smriti Kannan, a resident of Kerala, used the Uber app to book a ride from her home to a shop in Edappally, Kochi. Shortly after, she received a "Hy" message on WhatsApp from an unknown number. When she responded with a question mark, the sender, identifying himself as Muhammed Mishal, her Uber driver, asked, "Do u remember me? Can u just say which spray are u using?".

Privacy Concerns Go Viral

Kannan, shocked by the unsolicited message, shared screenshots of the WhatsApp conversation on X, tagging Uber India and questioning the app's privacy settings. "WHAT THE FU*K @Uber_India how bad are your privacy settings? An uber driver messages me on WhatsApp and asks me creepy questions. Seriously how safe are women???" she posted. Her post quickly went viral, garnering over one lakh views and sparking widespread concern among netizens.

Netizens Demand Action

Many X users echoed Kannan's concerns, urging Uber India to address the privacy breach immediately. Some users expressed outrage, with one commenter stating, "That’s absolutely unacceptable. Passenger privacy and safety should be non-negotiable,". Others shared similar negative experiences with Uber drivers, with one user claiming, "Uber_India has hired maximum creeps. I have stopped using it,".

Uber's Safety Features

In response to safety concerns, Uber has introduced several new features, including audio recording, women rider preference, and safety preferences. These features aim to provide a safer and more comfortable experience for riders, particularly women. Uber has also partnered with Durga, a Bangalore-based NGO, to conduct gender sensitization sessions for drivers. While the majority of comments expressed concern and outrage, some users suggested alternative explanations for the driver's message. A few commenters speculated that the driver might have been trying to return a lost item or was simply curious about the perfume.