Govt issues notice to Uber, Ola over differential fares for iPhone & Android users

Last year, Prahlad Joshi, while replying to a news report about Uber and Ola's differential pricing for iPhone and Android phones, had said there was "zero tolerance for consumer exploitation".

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | Updated: January 23, 2025 10:08 PM IST

3 min read

A social media user claimed that Uber charged different rates for the same pickup point and destination (Image source: @Uber_India, @seriousfunnyguy/X)

Cab aggregators Ola and Uber have been slapped with a government notice over concerns of differential pricing on their apps depending on the device they are using.

Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New and Renewable Energy, tweeted Thursday that his department, through the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has sent a notice to the two companies seeking their response.

“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 tweeted.

Several users, with videos, complained on social media that iPhone users were charged higher prices for the same ride than those using Android phones.

Last year, Joshi, while replying to a news report about differential pricing, had said there was “zero tolerance for consumer exploitation”.

“This prima facie looks like unfair trade practice where the cab-aggregators are alleged to be using differential pricing based on the factors mentioned in the article below. If so, this is blatant dis-regard to consumer’s right to know,” Joshi wrote, adding that he had directed his ministry through CCPA to conduct a detailed inquiry into this and submit a report at the earliest.

Citizens also flagged a similar issue regarding food delivery and quick-commerce apps as well.

The minister also directed the department of Consumer Affairs to “look into other sectors” such as food delivery apps and online ticket booking apps.

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Different Uber, Ola pricing for Android, iPhones?

Videos and posts by social media users showed that iPhone users were shown a higher estimated fare than Android users while booking a ride on Ola or Uber.

Another user, while responding to Prahlad Joshi’s tweet today, shared a tweet from last month showing same prices for Uber on both Android and iPhone.

While Uber had denied that the operating systems play a factor in cab ride prices and attributed it to availability and peak timings, Ola had not responded to the videos.

Both Ola and Uber are yet to respond to the government notice.

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