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Proposal Approved by Senate Committee Creates Alerts for “Risk Areas” in Apps and Allows Drivers to Refuse Rides in Such Cases. The Text Goes to the Chamber of Deputies, Unless There Is an Appeal for Plenary Vote.
The Senate Public Security Committee approved, in a final decision, the substitute for PL 1.169/2025, which creates alerts for high-risk areas in navigation apps and authorizes app drivers to refuse rides when the destination is marked as dangerous.
The proposal, reported by Hamilton Mourão (Republicans-RS) and presented by Wilder Morais (PL-GO), goes to the Chamber of Deputies unless there is an appeal for a vote in Plenary.
What Changes for Users and Drivers
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This information may be integrated into mapping and transportation platforms.
When the destination is identified as a “risk area”, the app must display a visible alert to the user.
In these cases, the driver will have the right to refuse the trip without penalty under the law, according to the approved text.
Mandatory Alert and Optional Blocking
The substitute alters the content of the original proposal by making the automatic route blocking through dangerous regions optional, maintaining only the mandatory alert.
The report points out that public security is the state’s responsibility and, therefore, the direct responsibility for any crimes should not be transferred to technology companies.
Processing and Deadlines of the Bill
The vote on the substitute occurred on October 7, with 8 votes in favor and 1 against in the Public Security Committee.
On October 21, the committee concluded the supplementary round and informed the Plenary of the final adoption of the text.
The deadline for appeal to the Plenary is from October 23 to 29. If the minimum number of signatures is not reached, the bill will proceed directly to the Chamber’s analysis.
Operation of Alerts in Apps
According to the substitute, the risk alert is the mechanism that supports the right of the driver to refuse the ride.
The measure applies only to destinations identified as dangerous basing on official data, without encompassing other situations.
The platforms may choose to integrate the information provided by state governments and, if they do, must display the warnings before the trip begins or at the time of request.
The blocking of routes will remain a decision for each company.
Responsibility of Platforms and Role of the State
The approved version removed the section that provided for automatic civil liability of companies in cases of crimes occurring during routes suggested by the app.
According to the report, it will be the responsibility of the public authority to produce and update lists and maps of sensitive regions, defining technical criteria for classifying areas.
Thus, the alert system will be based on official information from security departments.
Possible Impacts and Concerns
During the debate in the committee, senators expressed concerns about effects on the transportation supply in communities and peripheries.
According to Mourão, the project aims to reduce risks to drivers and encourage technical cooperation between governments and companies.
Representatives from the sector consulted by the committee stated that the measure could stimulate data sharing and contribute to planning safer routes, as long as it does not lead to the exclusion of urban areas.
Experts in urban mobility consulted by Senate vehicles argued that the adoption of alerts should consider clear technical criteria to avoid generalizations or stigmatization of territories.
They also emphasized the importance of periodic updates of risk maps to maintain information accuracy.
How Risk Alerts Should Work
According to technicians consulted by the Public Security Committee, the ideal configuration of alerts combines precise delimitation, transparency of criteria, and constant updates.
The proposal stipulates that maps must have sufficient resolution to cover small areas, such as street segments, and not entire neighborhoods, which could affect service availability.
The model should also ensure public access to classification criteria used by state departments, such as types of crimes considered, temporal cut-off, and risk levels.
Furthermore, experts suggest that apps inform the date of update of the databases and offer alternative options for boarding or disembarking at nearby and safe points.
For drivers, the system should present the reason for the alert and the decision options — accept, refuse, or propose an alternative point — clearly.
For passengers, experts recommend that the messages maintain neutral and informative language, avoiding terms that may associate specific communities with criminality.
The indication “security alert issued by the Public Security Department” is cited as an example of appropriate wording.
Data, Privacy, and Governance of the System
The proposal limits sharing to aggregated statistical data, without disclosing individual occurrences.
Committee technicians suggested that the systems include independent auditing and version tracking of the maps used to ensure transparency and traceability.
The importance of feedback channels between users, drivers, and the public authority was also highlighted, allowing for the correction of inconsistencies without harming the operation of services.
Next Steps and Implementation of the Proposal
With approval, the project paves the way for cooperation between the public authority and companies in the use of security data.
According to the rapporteur, the approved text seeks to balance protection and operability, allowing the sector to adopt the measure gradually.
If the Chamber maintains the wording, drivers will have legal backing to refuse trips to destinations with active risk alerts, provided the app displays the corresponding notification.
Consulted experts assess that regulation will require uniform technical criteria across states to avoid discrepancies.
They also point out that the effectiveness of the system will depend on continuous data updates and cooperation among departments, companies, and regulatory bodies.
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