Govt Issues Notice To Ola, Uber Over Differential Pricing On Android, iPhones

New Delhi: The Centre has issued notices to Ola and Uber for allegedly charging differential pricing on iPhone and Android phones, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), the regulatory body under the Consumer Affairs ministry, sent the notices to the ride-hailing services seeking their response on reports that different prices are being charged based on the type of mobile device used to book rides.

“As a follow-up to the earlier observation of apparent Differential Pricing based on the different models of mobiles (iPhones/ Android) being used, Department of Consumer Affairs through the CCPA, has issued notices to major cab aggregators Ola and Uber, seeking their responses,” Joshi posted on X.

Last month, a Delhi-based entrepreneur recently shared his experience of differential pricing on Uber and Ola apps in a series of posts on X after comparing fares across different devices and battery levels.

One user shared a picture of two phones purportedly showing different fares for the same destination on the Uber app.

As the posts went viral, Uber denied that pricing is based on the type of phone used, and attributed any fare difference to variations in pick-up points, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and drop-off points.

More and more social media users complained that they were being charged different fares for identical rides when booked through Android and iOS devices.

Now, the government has intervened, with Union minister Joshi ordering CCPA to probe platforms like Ola, Uber and Rapido for “unfair trade practice” and a “blatant disregard” for consumers’ right to transparency.

Joshi said the government has a “zero tolerance for consumer exploitation” and directed the CCPA to conduct a thorough inquiry and submit a report as soon as possible.

Ola and Uber have not reacted to the notices yet.