Noida Woman Alleges Harassment by Rapido Driver Over “Creepy” Messages
Noida, Uttar Pradesh – May 8, 2025
A woman in Noida has accused a Rapido bike rider of harassing her with unsolicited WhatsApp messages after a ride to DLF Mall from Sector 18 market, sparking widespread concern about passenger safety on ride-hailing platforms. The incident, detailed in a viral Reddit post and reported by NDTV and The Indian Express, has reignited debates over privacy and security for women using such services.
The woman, who booked the ride on May 6, 2025, to escape the afternoon heat, initially found the service convenient, having used Rapido’s cab option before. “I thought it’d be a safe and quick option,” she wrote on Reddit, as cited by The Indian Express. After being dropped off at DLF Mall and paying the driver, she was alarmed to receive messages from him on WhatsApp, despite never sharing her number. “Somehow this guy ended up getting my number and texted me. Creepy as f***,” she stated, sharing screenshots of the messages, which included the driver begging her not to report him.
The breach of privacy left her shaken, and she expressed frustration over how the driver obtained her contact details. Social media reactions, as noted in the Indian Express, suggested that drivers might access passenger information through informal channels, with one user commenting, “All it takes is usually 200-500 rupees.” The woman lodged a complaint with Rapido, but the company’s response—promising to investigate—left her dissatisfied, echoing similar incidents where users felt platforms failed to act decisively.
This case follows a pattern of harassment allegations against Rapido drivers. In February 2025, a Delhi woman reported a driver making inappropriate comments and sending multiple texts, leading to his ban from the platform, per NDTV. In 2023, a Bengaluru woman alleged a driver masturbated mid-ride and sent “love you” messages, resulting in his arrest, according to Hindustan Times. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about inadequate background checks and data privacy, with one Reddit user noting, “Privacy is a joke for Indian startups.”
Rapido has not issued a public statement on the Noida incident, but in past cases, the company has apologized and suspended or banned offending drivers. The woman’s post has prompted calls for stricter regulations, with X users like @ietrending and @IndianExpress amplifying the story, reflecting public outrage. “Such incidents shouldn’t be taken lightly,” one commenter wrote on Reddit, urging her to escalate the matter to authorities if Rapido’s response remains inadequate.
As the story gains traction, it underscores the urgent need for ride-hailing companies to enhance safety protocols, particularly for women, in a country where public transport incidents remain a persistent issue. The Noida police have not yet commented on whether a formal complaint has been filed.
Sources: NDTV, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, X posts (@ndtv, @IndianExpress, @ietrending)