Pronto responds to AI training privacy concerns, Urban Company CEO weighs in
A social media debate around privacy, AI training, and home-service startups erupted online after Bengaluru-based startup Pronto responded to allegations that some of its professionals
A social media debate around privacy, AI training, and home-service startups erupted online after Bengaluru-based startup Pronto responded to allegations that some of its professionals were recording videos inside customers’ homes using body cameras. The controversy intensified further after Urban Company CEO Abhiraj Singh Bhal publicly distanced his company from any such practices, saying customer privacy remained “paramount”. The discussion began after X user Harsh Upadhyay shared a post claiming Pronto professionals were using “small outward-facing cameras during select opt-in jobs” as part of its investor’s Physical AI vision. In his post, Harsh alleged that an internal memo by investor Glade Brook mentioned Pronto’s goal of formalising informal labour markets while also generating data useful for “Physical AI and robotics training”.
Read Full Story The claims quickly sparked concern online, with several users questioning whether recordings inside private homes for AI training purposes could compromise customer privacy, even if consent was obtained Responding to the criticism, Pronto clarified that cameras are not used by default during services. The company said only customers who explicitly opt into the programme and pay for it are part of the pilot initiative. “Unless you have opted-in and paid for the program personally, the Pro doesn't come to the house with a camera,” Pronto said in its statement. The startup added that consent is not permanent and must be reaffirmed before every booking. It further claimed the pilot currently reaches only 0.1 per cent of customers and that the company spent months ensuring compliance with India’s DPDP (Digital Personal Data Protection) regulations.
Pronto, which offers app-based household services such as mopping, cleaning, laundry, and utensil washing, also noted that it was “not the only company in the space” experimenting with such technology. Amid the growing conversation, Urban Company CEO Abhiraj Singh Bhal issued a strongly worded statement saying his platform neither engages in nor plans to introduce any similar recording practices. In light of recent reports regarding recordings inside customers’ homes by one of our competitors, many people have asked whether @urbancompany_UC engages in anything similar, or intends to do so in the future. The answer is clear and unequivocal: we do not. We are in the— Abhiraj Singh Bhal (@abhirajbhal) May 24, 2026 “We are in the business of trust,” Bhal wrote, adding that Urban Company has “never done so in the past” and has “no plans to do so in the future.” Recently, a Bengaluru vegetable seller was filmed wearing a head-mounted iPhone device while working, with the clip claiming he was collecting real-world data for AI training.
It makes us wonder, are we going to lose it all to AI? Ends
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