SINGAPORE - Indonesian ride-hailing company Gojek is likely to become the first taxi-like operator to install inward-facing cameras in its cars.

In a message to commuters on Monday(July15), Gojek said the devices will record video and audio footage which will be kept for seven days, and will be accessible only to the Land Transport Authority and police.

It also said commuters will know if their booked vehicle had a camera once they are assigned a driver. If they do not wish to be recorded, they are advised to cancel the ride. They can then book another ride - with Gojek or another operator.

The company said the devices aim to ensure "better safety and security for all users on the Gojek platform". It added that passengers cannot ask for the devices to be switched off during a ride.

Asked how many of its vehicles will be installed with such recorders, a Gojek spokesman said the rule allowing video and audo recording kicked in only on Monday. Consequently, she reckoned no vehicle has been installed with the devices yet.

She added that the decision to install the devices ultimately lies with the fleet owners, who will foot the bill for them. These would be car rental companies which supply cars to private-hire operators such as Gojek and Grab.

A spokesman for BIS Consortium, a company which supplies "a few hundred" cars to Gojek, said it is not keen to install the cameras even though "Gojek is encouraging us to".

The Straits Times understands that some Grab drivers are considering installing them, but baulked at the cost. Each set is said to cost between $600 and $700.

Grab told The Straits Times on Monday that none of its cars are installed with recorders yet, but would not say if they will in future.

Taxi operators have yet to decide on whether to record their passengers.