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Saturday, February 15, 2025

Priced Differently Based on Your Phone? CCPA Targets Ola and Uber Over Alleged Unfair Trade Practices

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The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to Ola and Uber after receiving complaints about alleged unfair trade practices related to fare discrepancies.

Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi revealed that the two ride-hailing companies are being scrutinized for allegedly charging different fares depending on whether users book rides through an Android or iPhone. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to label this practice as a “prima facie unfair trade practice” and a violation of consumer rights.

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The issue came to light after several commuters reported that identical rides appeared to cost more on iPhones compared to Android devices. A report by The Times of India highlighted cases in Chennai, where users noticed consistent price differences for the same routes and times across the two platforms. While there’s no concrete evidence that the companies deliberately engage in such differential pricing, the complaints have prompted the Department of Consumer Affairs to demand an explanation from both firms.

Screenshots shared by users on social media added fuel to the fire, with many showing that the same Uber Auto ride was priced higher on an iPhone. One customer even mentioned that he now asks his daughter to book rides on her Android phone to avoid paying inflated fares. This sparked a wave of similar accounts online, suggesting that the issue may be more widespread than initially thought.

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Minister Joshi reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting consumer interests, emphasizing “zero tolerance for consumer exploitation.” He confirmed that the CCPA has formally requested a response from Ola and Uber, urging them to provide transparency around their fare-setting mechanisms.

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