Safety amplified: unveiling the new audio trip recording feature

At Bolt, safety comes first  and here’s the newest addition to our in-app safety toolkit: audio trip recording. 

This feature lets drivers and passengers record audio via the Bolt app during a trip, discouraging inappropriate behaviour, enhancing safety, and assisting us and the local authorities in resolving potential disputes.

Passengers and drivers can now find the feature in Bolt’s in-app safety toolkit and use it if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe. 

In-app audio recording can only be activated during an ongoing Bolt trip. Neither the driver nor passenger is able to play or listen to the recording. Bolt can only access files users have shared with Customer Support as a part of an incident report.

The audio trip recording feature will be rolled out gradually, and you must have the latest version of the app to use it.

• During first-time use, audio trip recording may ask permission to access your phone’s microphone on Bolt trips.
• You can start recording at any point during a trip. But the feature’s only available during ongoing trips  after the driver has accepted the request, and recording automatically ends once a trip  finishes.
• Recording pauses when you open an app that uses the microphone and automatically resumes when other apps using the microphone are closed.
• The file is encrypted, which means that you will not be able to listen to the recording.
• The recording file is stored on your device for up to 24 hours. To share the recording with Bolt Customer Support, you must attach the file to an incident report. (The encrypted recording is automatically erased from your device after 24 hours, so submit the report to Bolt Customer Support as soon as possible). 

Learn more about how we process data and your rights regarding your personal data in our Privacy Notices for Riders and Drivers.

Are any external vendors involved?
Bolt developed this feature independently, so no external vendor helps us capture or record audio, ensuring maximum privacy.

Who has access to these recordings?
Bolt can’t access the recording on your phone — our teams can only listen to the file after you share it.

Will you share recordings with third parties?
No, but we may share the recordings with relevant local authorities (such as the police) when explicitly requested to do so.

Where will the audio trip recording feature be available?
The feature is available in Ireland in cities where Bolt operates. The feature might not be available in all countries and will be rolled out gradually. 

We offer various features and are constantly developing additional ones to ensure driver and rider safety (features vary by country).

Driver safety features include:

Emergency assist — You can quickly and discreetly alert the emergency services by tapping the in-app Emergency Assist button.

Phone masking — Your phone number stays hidden should you need to contact a rider.

Trip safety monitoring — If your car remains still for too long, our safety team calls you to ensure everything’s okay.

Driver trip sharing  — Share your real-time location with friends or family, so they know you’re safe.

Learn more about the features available in your country from the Bolt driver safety page.

Rider safety features include:

Identity verification — Drivers submit a real-time selfie as part of our identity verification process during registration and on a regular basis.

Trip sharing — You can share your real-time location with friends or family.

Emergency assist button — You can quickly and discreetly alert the emergency services or a private security company.

Trusted Contact — Add someone you trust, and if there’s ever a safety concern and we can’t reach you, we’ll notify them.

Learn more about our features from the Bolt rider safety page.