Uber said it does not set ride prices based on a user’s phone model, shortly after an Indian government body alleged that the ride-hailing giant and its domestic rival Ola pay differentially for Android and Apple phones. Use pricing.
Pralhad Joshi, Consumer Affairs Minister of India Said X on Thursday that the Central Consumer Protection Agency (CCPA) had sent notices to companies over alleged price disparity or “differential pricing”.
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 resolve any misunderstandings.”
There have been numerous reports from local media and user complaints on social media that iPhone users were charged higher prices for the same ride than those using phones running the Android operating system. Were.
Joshi said he would direct the CCPA to look at differential pricing strategies used by other sectors, including food delivery and online ticketing portals.
Ola, Google and Apple did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Uber is locked in a fierce battle with SoftBank-backed Ola, rival Rapido as well as all-electric ride-hailing app Blusmart in India, one of the company’s biggest markets outside the United States and Canada.
Joshi last month called differential pricing an “unfair trade practice” that is a “blatant disregard” for consumer rights.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
