📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Shadman Samee from Dhaka, Bangladesh
Technology
Police partner with cab firms to add SOS button for women's safety
✍️ Bhaskar English
🗓 23 Sep 2026, 11:01 AM
👁 10
Police have teamed up with major cab operators to embed an SOS button in their apps, linking directly to police control rooms for rapid assistance to women commuters.
The police department announced a new collaboration with leading cab service providers to enhance the safety of women passengers. Under the agreement, the participating ride‑hailing apps will integrate an SOS feature that can be activated by a user in distress.
When the SOS button is pressed, the app instantly transmits the rider's location and a distress signal to the nearest police control room, enabling a swift response. The system is designed to work even if the phone’s screen is locked, ensuring that help can be summoned without navigating through multiple menus.
Authorities indicated that the feature will be rolled out across major cities within the next few weeks, covering all registered cabs of the partner companies. The initiative aims to deter potential harassment and provide a reliable safety net for women traveling alone.
Police officials emphasized that the SOS button complements existing safety measures, such as driver verification and in‑app emergency contacts, and they will monitor its usage to continually improve response times.
When the SOS button is pressed, the app instantly transmits the rider's location and a distress signal to the nearest police control room, enabling a swift response. The system is designed to work even if the phone’s screen is locked, ensuring that help can be summoned without navigating through multiple menus.
Authorities indicated that the feature will be rolled out across major cities within the next few weeks, covering all registered cabs of the partner companies. The initiative aims to deter potential harassment and provide a reliable safety net for women traveling alone.
Police officials emphasized that the SOS button complements existing safety measures, such as driver verification and in‑app emergency contacts, and they will monitor its usage to continually improve response times.