The introduction of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in 2016 certainly put India on the fast track for the use of digital payments.
To the point where many people, especially in urban and metro regions are not carrying change in cash at all, relying on that everyone these days has UPI, GPay, PhonePe, etc.
Even cab drivers, auto drivers, small show owners and more are without cash change if asked, asking the customer to just pay through online mode. As per an India Today report, Indians make a whopping one crore eighty-four lakh fifty-eight thousand three hundred and thirty-three (1,84,58,333) of UPI transactions every hour.
However, apparently, these digital payment methods are not as safe as thought, besides just the digital scams, women especially are having a difficult time with them.
UPI Transactions Unsafe For Women?
As per a recent report by India, an issue is being seen where UPI IDs are becoming very unsafe for women since it leads to people discovering their numbers and then misusing them to harass them.
In a viral tweet thread, Diksha, an 18-year-old girl from Bengaluru, recounted how a man managed to extract her number from her UPI ID, which had been visible in an old tweet.
Diksha revealed that the man was 44 years old, ‘married’ and sent her several inappropriate messages including nude photos, and that ‘every time she blocks him, he creates a new account’.
It should be noted that one’s number could be getting shared each time someone uses the ‘Pay Now’ option or shares their UPI ID through the UPI app or any third-party app like Paytm, Google Pay, BHIM, or PhonePe.
Read More: Men Are Creating AI Girlfriends To Verbally Abuse Them
Not The First Time
This is not the first time that women especially have come forward about being harassed and sent inappropriate messages through online chat platforms in recent times.
In March 2023, a woman posted on her X/Twitter page about a Rapido driver sending her inappropriate messages, such as how he only arrived at her location after hearing her voice and seeing her display picture.
Sharing a screenshot of the chat she said, “Shared my location with a captain at @rapidobikeapp and this is what i get???? FUCK YOUR APP FUCK YOUR MEN FUCK MEN.”
In the screenshot, the man sent her several messages at around 1.25 am in Hindi asking if she’d gone to sleep and that “sirf or sirf tmhari dp dekh ke or voice ki vjh se aaya tha n. otherwise bht dur tha bilkul nai ata m (only and only after seeing your dp and because of your voice I came, otherwise it was very far, would have absolutely not come)”.
He then further said, “or hn ek bt or bhaiya viyanhi hu n (one more thing, I’m not your brother or anything”.
Several users commented on this with one saying, “All these apps, be it Amazon or Flipkart, Ola or Uber, which lets strangers know your location can be a problem to many.”
Another woman shared a similar situation she experienced.
Another user called out the bigger issue in this tagging Rapido writing “Don’t try to blame this on the particular rider. Real issue is that you guys share the actual mobile number of customer and rider with each other, which significantly increases the chances of something like this happening…”
User oindrila31 also wrote “Reminds me of this swiggy incident myself. Shared the location and later started receiving inappropriate messages. Had to block ofc. Men and their audacity”.
In another incident, a female homoeopathic doctor shared her experience with an Uber driver in October of last year: “On 19/10/2023, I encountered a distressing situation where I received inappropriate messages from one of your drivers after a ride.”
She further said, “This incident has not only left me feeling uncomfortable but has also raised serious security and safety concerns. I strongly believe that Uber should be a platform where customers, especially women, can trust the drivers and the overall experience. This incident has shaken that trust, and I am deeply concerned about the safety of female passengers who rely on Uber for transportation.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: India Today, Inc42, NDTV
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: UPI Transactions, Google Pay, Paytm, PhonePe, risk, safety, transactions, Women, Ola, Uber, Rapido
Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, or copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.
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