Ola, Uber reject phone model-based pricing claims: ‘We do not differentiate’
NEW DELHI,JAN 24 : Cab aggregators Ola and Uber on Friday said they did not set fares based on a user’s phone model after the government sent notices to them over alleged differential pricing based on the type of mobile device used to book rides.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) took action following reports that Ola and Uber appeared to charge different fares for the same service, depending on whether the customer was using an iPhone or an Android device.
In a statement, an Ola Consumer spokesperson said, “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.”
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“We have clarified the same to the CCPA today, and we will work with them to clear any misunderstanding in this regard,” the spokesperson added.
In a similar statement, an Uber spokesperson told Reuters, “We do not set prices based on a rider’s phone manufacturer. We look forward to working with the CCPA to clear up any misunderstanding.”
On Thursday, Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the CCPA had sent notices to the companies over the “differential pricing” on booking rides.
Joshi said he would direct the CCPA to also look into differential pricing strategies used by other sectors, including food delivery and online ticketing portals.
Apple and Google have not yet responded to Reuters’s requests for comments on the issue.
Last month, Joshi termed differential pricing an “unfair trade practice” that was a “blatant disregard” to consumer rights.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.
-PTI
