# Encrypted Ride-Sharing Companies Ride-Hailing Service ORide Protects the Data of Its Users By Alyson Wyers | Published 2017-07-19 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ridehailing-service References: [springwise](https://www.springwise.com/researchers-develop-cryptography-hide-data-ride-hailing-users/) & [oride.epfl.ch](http://oride.epfl.ch/) In an effort to protect the privacy of people using a ride-hailing service, researchers from Lausanne University and the [Swiss Federal Polytechnic Institute](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-shuttle-service) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uber-audio-recording) and [Lyft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lyft-teen-accounts) 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.0/10 - Popularity: 7% | Activity: 16% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **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. - **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. - **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. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Ride-hailing:** Incorporating encryption technologies into ride-hailing services to enhance customer privacy and address data security concerns. - **Cybersecurity:** Leveraging cryptography techniques and advancements in cybersecurity to develop encryption systems that protect sensitive user data in various industries, including transportation. - **Data Privacy:** Developing innovative solutions and technologies to safeguard user privacy and address data collection challenges faced by companies in the transportation sector. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Safety-Enhancing Ride Share Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bosch-ridecare.md) - [Rideshare Security Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uber-audio-recording.md) - [Woman-Focused E-Hailing Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kgosigadi-rides.md) - [Selfie Identity Verification](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cabify.md) - [Secure Data Storage Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/data-storage1.md) - [Private Travel Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cipher.md) - [Rideshare Safety Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rideshare-safety.md) - [Auditory Rideshare Safety Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-uber-safety-features.md) - [Bid-Based Ride Hailing Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/indrive.md)