Pronto, an Indian on-demand domestic services startup, has launched a pilot to record videos of service professionals performing household tasks to train AI models, prompting privacy concerns and raising questions about data protection under India's digital laws.
- Pronto pilots in-home video recording for AI training with opt-in customers
- Experts question privacy safeguards and legality under India's DPDP Act
- Rival platforms Urban Company and Snabbit reject similar recording practices
What happened
Pronto has initiated a limited pilot where its service professionals use wearable cameras to record household tasks such as washing dishes and laundry. These videos are intended to help train physical AI and robotics models, aiming to improve automation and service quality. The pilot is strictly opt-in and currently affects fewer than 0.01% of Pronto’s customers.
The company has emphasized that recordings only occur with explicit user consent and that video footage is stored temporarily and deleted within 48 hours. Customers who opt in can view anonymized footage in the app for up to two days, using it for reassurance that tasks were completed as requested.
Why it matters
Recording domestic activities in private homes raises significant privacy concerns. Experts warn that data collected inside homes is highly sensitive and vulnerable to misuse, including potential deepfakes or cybercrimes if leaked. India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act requires informed consent, which may be difficult to ensure fully in such settings.
Unlike Pronto, leading rivals Urban Company and Snabbit have ruled out similar recording programs, reflecting hesitancy to risk customer trust and legal exposure. The debate highlights gaps in India's regulatory framework regarding accountability and criminal liability for data breaches involving sensitive in-home data.
What to watch next
Observers will track whether Pronto’s pilot scales and how regulators interpret privacy protections under the DPDP Act for in-home data collection. Future legal clarifications could influence technology adoption and operational norms for domestic service platforms in India.
Meanwhile, competitors are likely to maintain distance from direct video recordings inside homes to preserve consumer confidence. The industry may explore alternative approaches to AI training that balance innovation with robust user privacy safeguards.