Ola, Uber deny charging customers higher rates on iPhones than Android

Cab-hailing apps Ola and Uber have denied allegations that the cab aggregators were charging different prices on rides based on the phone the customers used to book the ride. The two cab aggregators were responding to the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which issued notices to them over allegations of differential pricing based on users' mobile operating systems.

CREDIT: BCCL

Fares not set based on operating system: Uber

Responding to the allegation, an Uber spokesperson told Reuters, "We do not set prices based on a rider's phone manufacturer. We look forward to working with the Central Consumer Protection Authority to clear up any misunderstanding."

Homogenous pricing: Ola

Ola also claimed that it does not differentiate pricing based on users' mobile operating systems for identical rides.

"We have a homogenous pricing structure for all our customers and we do not differentiate based on the operating system of the user's cellphone for identical rides," an Ola spokesperson said.

CREDIT: REUTERS

What customers alleged

The CCPA, under the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry, had issued notices to Ola and Uber earlier this week amid rising allegations that iPhone users were charged higher compared to customers using Android devices to book identical rides.

Several social media users had posted videos and photos of the ride-hailing apps placed next to each other, showing different prices for the same ride, with the trip on iPhones always showing the higher figure.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had earlier termed such practices a "prima facie unfair trade practice" and a "blatant disregard" for consumer rights.

Zepto accused of charging higher rates on iPhones

It should be noted that Ola and Uber are not the only ones who have been accused of price gouging iPhone users. Recently, a social media user had pointed out that quick-commerce company Zepto was charging higher prices to iPhone users than those on Android devices for the same items.

The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs has also ordered investigations into other industries, like online ticketing apps and food delivery, to determine whether any comparable problems were reported.

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