DiDi to suspend night Hitch, could audio record every single journey

DiDi has announced a range of measures to improve passenger safety, days after the ride hail platform suspended its intercity car-pooling service Hitch (顺风车) after the alleged murder of a passenger by her driver. As well as new features such as daily and per-trip facial recognition approval of drivers, Didi is consulting the public on the possibility of recording every single journey.

The company took the Hitch product down for a week of “rectification” on May 12 following the gruesome murder of a young female passenger in Zhengzhou on May 6, apparently by her Hitch driver. The suspected killer has reportedly since been found dead. China’s Ministry of Transport announced on May 11 plans to tighten regulation of the ride-hailing industry.

In a statement shared with TechNode, Didi has outlined several updates. The company said the changes will come into effect “in the coming days” and be implemented before Hitch resumes.

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