Uber Launches 911 'Panic Button' Feature Directly Within Its App
Uber launched an in-app 911 feature this week, which is now live across all US cities where Uber operates.
The feature, first announced in April, dials 911 on behalf of passengers who feel threatened during an Uber ride. The emergency button can be found under the "safety center" menu located on the home screen of the app. The call will go through once passengers tap on "911 assistance," and confirm their intent to dial 911. For users in Denver, Charleston, Nashville, Chattanooga and Naples, Florida, the new app update will also share their location and trip details directly with the 911 dispatcher. This functionality is designed to help improve location accuracy for dispatchers to pinpoint the source of the distress call.
If all goes well, the feature will soon be available for drivers as well, who can just as easily feel threatened by difficult riders.
Uber continues to push updates and revisions in hopes of shaking the notoriously unsafe reputation that dogs the company for various reasons, including the self-driving car that killed a pedestrian, as well as a continued stream of sexual assault and harassment accusations.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.