Ola and Uber Deny Fare Discrimination Allegations

Following a notice from the Centre regarding allegations of fare discrimination, both Ola and Uber have firmly denied any practices of differentiating customers based on their mobile device's operating system. Ola Consumer, India's prominent ride-hailing service, released a statement affirming their commitment to a uniform pricing structure for all customers, irrespective of the mobile device model they use. This statement came in response to recent concerns and investigations into potential unfair trade practices within the ride-hailing industry.

Investigation into Differential Pricing Practices

This controversy began when a report by The Times of India highlighted discrepancies in fares displayed on Android devices versus iPhones for identical rides. Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, after receiving numerous complaints, deemed this a potential unfair trade practice and directed the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to investigate. The investigation aims to uncover whether differential pricing extends beyond ride-hailing services to include food delivery and online ticket booking apps.

Commitment to Fair Pricing

Ola Consumer's spokesperson emphasized the company's dedication to maintaining a homogeneous pricing structure, ensuring that all customers receive fair treatment regardless of their device's operating system. Both Ola and Uber have expressed their willingness to cooperate with the CCPA to clarify any misunderstandings and reaffirm their commitment to consumer protection and fair trade practices.