Govt probes Ola, Uber over Android-iOS price discrepancies

The government has broadened its inquiry to also include food delivery and ticket booking apps, ensuring consumer rights across platforms

The Government of India has initiated an inquiry into major ride-hailing platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, following concerns about pricing disparities for identical rides depending on whether users have Android or iOS devices. Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, described the practice as a “prima facie unfair trade practice” and a violation of consumer rights. Joshi took to X (formerly Twitter) to reinforce the government’s commitment to a “zero tolerance for consumer exploitation” stance and announced that the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) would handle the investigation.

The government has expanded its inquiry beyond ride-hailing services to include other digital platforms, such as food delivery and online ticket booking apps, in a bid to ensure consumer rights are protected across a wide range of services in the digital economy.

The investigation comes after media reports pointed out significant price differences for the same rides between Android and iOS users. These revelations have sparked concerns about the fairness and transparency of the algorithms used by the platforms to set prices, raising questions over potential discriminatory practices.

The CCPA’s inquiry will focus on evaluating the scope of pricing discrimination, examining any violations of the Consumer Protection Act, and proposing regulatory measures to ensure fair pricing across the digital services market.

The outcome of the investigation is expected to inform future regulatory actions to protect consumers from unfair practices. The government is urging consumers to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of unfair pricing. This investigation signals the government's firm resolve to uphold transparency and fairness in India’s rapidly growing digital marketplace.