Didi has to better manage its drivers

SOME MALE DRIVERS OF DIDI, the largest ride hailing company in China, broadcast their flirting with female passengers live on the internet. Procuratorate Daily comments:

The livestreaming website has closed the accounts of the drivers, but it should take the blame for failing in its duty to guarantee that all content it shows is not only lawful, but also in line with the principle of public order.

The livestreaming was done without notifying the passengers, who in most cases would probably not agree to it, so the drivers have violated their customers' privacy by publicizing their private talk and filming the passengers, without their consent.

Also, to attract audiences the drivers try their best, verbally and physically sometimes, to portray their passengers as sluttish and lewd, to which most of the women respond politely and calmly to avoid irritating the drivers for obvious safety reasons, and none of them have reported the drivers' behavior to the police.

Unfortunately, this further encourages the drivers to become more rude and bold in their harassment.

It is noteworthy the drivers seem unconcerned about the evaluations they are given by their passengers, which, in Didi's management system, is expected to be an important means of encouraging the drivers to behave themselves and improve their services. It is fair to say that the company lacks effective means to monitor and control its employees.

Didi's none-of-my-business response is disappointing, as it is obliged to ensure its drivers meet strict requirements professionally and ethically to do the job in the first place.

If the company cannot plug the loopholes in its management, its business boom will not be sustained.

In order to protect the rights and interests of passengers, the company should earnestly fulfill its supervisory responsibilities, regulate drivers' words and deeds, have a zero-tolerance attitude toward violations of the legitimate rights and interests of passengers, and report to the police those drivers who violate the law and regulations.