Investigation into Ride-Hailing Apps by Consumer Protection Watchdog
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) will launch an investigation into ride-hailing applications for allegedly imposing varying fares for identical rides on Android versus Apple devices. This investigation was announced by Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday.
Minister Joshi remarked on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “This prima facie looks like an unfair trade practice,” and described it as a “blatant disregard” for consumers’ rights to transparency.
Scope of the Investigation
The CCPA has been instructed to carry out a comprehensive inquiry and deliver a report promptly. The investigation will also encompass other sectors, including:
- Food delivery services
- Ticket booking applications
“Zero tolerance for consumer exploitation!” Joshi emphasised.
This investigation comes in response to media reports that have brought to light the pricing discrepancies across mobile platforms for the same ride.
