Uber has begun collecting passengers’ location data even after journeys have finished, a move that has raised eyebrows among privacy-conscious users.

An update to the app allows Uber to follow users' GPS signal while it is running in the background. Previously, it would only do so when Uber was open on the phone.

Uber said it would only be tracking users from the moment they request a trip until five minutes after the journey had ended. The company said the change would improve the app by allowing for more reliable pick-ups, improving customer service, and enhancing safety.