Do ride prices differ on iPhone and Androids? India sends notices to Ola, Uber

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to cab aggregators Ola and Uber for allegedly charging different fares for the same destination based on consumers' mobile phone operating systems.

According to complaints lodged by commuters, fares for identical routes were reportedly higher on iPhones compared to Android devices, sparking concerns about potential unfair pricing practices.

India's Consumer Affairs Minister, Pralhad Joshi, confirmed the notices and emphasized the need for clarity on the fare-setting mechanisms of these companies.

“As a follow-up to earlier observations of apparent differential pricing, the Department of Consumer Affairs, through the CCPA, has issued notices to Ola and Uber, seeking clarifications on their fare-setting mechanisms,” Joshi stated.

Commuters flagged this disparity over the past few months, prompting Joshi to term it an “unfair trade practice.”

Last month, the minister took stock of the situation and directed the CCPA to investigate the matter.

“Zero tolerance for consumer exploitation!!” Joshi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The minister also instructed the CCPA to expand its probe to other sectors, such as food delivery and online ticket booking apps, to identify if similar practices were taking place.

In a separate development, the CCPA has also issued a notice to Apple Inc. over performance issues reported by iPhone users following the iOS 18+ software update.

According to complaints registered on the National Consumer Helpline, iPhone users experienced issues like battery drain, overheating, and glitches in apps such as CarPlay, Safari, and YouTube Music.

“The department, after examining consumer grievances, has issued a notice to Apple through the CCPA, seeking a response on the matter,” Joshi stated on social media.

This scrutiny adds to the growing regulatory challenges faced by Apple in India, a key market for the tech giant. Apple has faced similar government warnings in the past over software vulnerabilities that posed risks of unauthorized access and data theft.

The CCPA’s notice highlights the growing demand for accountability from tech companies operating in India. Apple will need to address these concerns promptly to maintain consumer trust and ensure compliance in one of its most critical markets.