In an effort to protect the privacy of people using a ride-hailing service, researchers from Lausanne University and the Swiss Federal Polytechnic Institute are using cryptography to encrypt data. ORide -- or Oblivious Ride -- is a prototype software that prevents ride-share companies from seeing where passengers have been.
Described as "a privacy-preserving yet accountable ride-hailing service," ORide addresses the criticism of brands like Uber and Lyft and their data collection practices. This alternative allows people to catch a ride without having to share their location data. Still in development, the encryption system aims to deliver all the convenience and features people expect from on-demand car-catching services (like reputation scores, lost item retrieval and easy payments) while protecting sensitive information using novel cryptography techniques.
Encrypted Ride-Sharing Companies
Ride-Hailing Service ORide Protects the Data of Its Users
Trend Themes
1. Privacy-preserving Ride-hailing - Developing ride-hailing services that use cryptography to encrypt data, protecting the privacy of users and preventing companies from tracking passenger locations.
2. Accountable Ride-hailing - Creating encrypted ride-hailing platforms that offer convenience and features like reputation scores, lost item retrieval, and easy payments, while ensuring the accountability of drivers and maintaining user privacy.
3. Data Protection in Transportation - Exploring novel cryptography techniques to secure sensitive user information in on-demand car-catching services and address concerns regarding data collection practices.
Industry Implications
1. Ride-hailing - Incorporating encryption technologies into ride-hailing services to enhance customer privacy and address data security concerns.
2. Cybersecurity - Leveraging cryptography techniques and advancements in cybersecurity to develop encryption systems that protect sensitive user data in various industries, including transportation.
3. Data Privacy - Developing innovative solutions and technologies to safeguard user privacy and address data collection challenges faced by companies in the transportation sector.