Bolt’s introduction of a dash cam app for its drivers in Kenya is fueling debate over whether enhanced safety measures come at the expense of passenger privacy.

The app, created by US firm Driver Technologies, allows drivers to use their phones to record both the road and the inside of the vehicle, with footage stored in the cloud for a monthly fee of KES 386.

Supporters argue it offers vital protection against fare disputes, false complaints, and unsafe encounters. Yet privacy advocates warn it risks turning ride hailing into a form of surveillance with little oversight.

Kenya’s Data Protection Act requires that personal data be handled with clear rules on storage and sharing.

However, because Bolt classifies drivers as independent contractors, it is the drivers who must comply with the law.

Riders must be informed and consent to recording, but if a complaint arises it is the driver, not Bolt, who could face legal consequences.

According to Nairobi lawyer Nick Kamwendwa, the policy exposes drivers to risk.

“Bolt frames this as a safety measure but drivers shoulder the liability. They are caught between protecting themselves and respecting the privacy of passengers,” he said.

Critics say the rollout normalises surveillance in everyday transport, leaving passengers with limited choice if they wish to avoid being filmed. For many drivers though, the app provides an affordable alternative to physical dash cams, which are often too costly.

The development highlights a deeper challenge in Kenya’s digital transport sector: whether it is possible to improve safety without undermining privacy. For now, the decision rests with drivers, who must navigate both passenger expectations and the law.