A proposed Colorado bill mandating audio and video recording for all rides arranged through transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft is drawing strong criticism from civil liberties advocates concerned about privacy rights and sparking warnings from major ride-share companies about potential market withdrawal.
House Bill 25-1291, currently under consideration by the Colorado Senate as of May 1, 2025, outlines requirements for mandatory audio recording to begin in January 2026, followed by mandatory video recording in July 2026. The bill also includes provisions for stricter driver background checks and new restrictions on drivers offering items like food or drink.
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Natasha Burke, a policy consultant and registered lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Colorado, expressed significant concerns regarding the bill’s impact on consumer privacy. Testifying during ACLU Colorado’s presentation at the Colorado Supreme Court, Burke stated that the mandatory data collection requirements bypass established consent standards and pose a direct threat to individual privacy.
“Data privacy is also a paramount concern of ours from this legislation,” Burke said. “This bill requires mandatory audio and video recording of every ride. It would leave TNC companies with the impossible task of deciding which state law to follow. The decision of that collection and processing should be up to the consumer not the state.”
Burke’s concerns align with broader public anxieties about digital data security. A 2023 Deloitte Insights report indicated that 60% of U.S. consumers surveyed were worried about their personal data’s vulnerability to hackers via mobile devices, with an equal percentage fearing tracking by companies or individuals using their devices. These concerns have shown a sustained upward trend in recent years.
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Adding to the opposition, Uber has issued a warning to Colorado legislative leaders.
According to reports, Uber has threatened to exit the Colorado market if the bill is enacted. In a letter addressed to Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez and House Speaker Julie McCluskie, Uber reportedly stated that the bill’s requirements for continuous audio and video recording, coupled with a broad private right of action (PRA) allowing for lawsuits over minor or technical violations, are “unworkable.”
The company argued these provisions would expose both Uber and its drivers to excessive litigation and also objected to the bill’s proposed ban on arbitration agreements, claiming it violates federal law and existing court precedent.
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