Apps Revealed To Charge Higher Cab Fares On iPhones Than On Android Devices; Union Minister Of Consumer Affairs Reacts
There have been a lot of rumors and reports that claim that iPhone users are charged higher cab fares than Android users for the same time and same destination which increased the assumptions that pricing algorithms on ride-hailing apps are programmed to charge Apple users more.
To test whether these rumors were true or not, Times of India used iPhone and Android devices simultaneously to search for rides to the same destinations from three locations in Chennai, and shockingly fare displayed on the iPhone was higher than on the Android device. Check the results below.
However, the publication has further clarified that this is by no means conclusive evidence. The same searches may show different results on different days. Also, the pattern seemed to be limited to single rides and more pronounced over relatively shorter distances.
It is revealed that Uber did say that it did not have a policy of personalizing trip pricing based on prospective riders’ phones. But there was no response from Ola. Mentioning this article, the Managing editor of Money Life India, Sucheta Dalal agreed that apps charge higher fares for iOS devices while she also mentioned that if you check fare or time twice, the fare shoots up.
Yes. And there is a lot more that is wrong. If you check fare or time twice the fare shoots up. @Moneylifers and I had vastly different fares on the same infamous app which is @kunalkamra88 ‘s favourite because I checked thrice to estimate the time to location! pic.twitter.com/ButZhSrfx0
— Sucheta Dalal (@suchetadalal) December 26, 2024
She also mentioned that there was a vast difference in fares in her and her husband’s device on OLA when she checked thrice on the app. This post by the journalist caught the attention of Pralhad Joshi, who is the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food And Public Distribution & New and Renewable Energy, as he posted about on the X platform.
Zero tolerance for consumer exploitation!!
This Prima Facie looks like Unfair Trade Practice where the cab-aggregators are alleged to be using Differential Pricing based on the factors mentioned in the article below. If so, this is blatant dis-regard to Consumer’s right to know.… https://t.co/Iq7FXE6ROc
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) December 26, 2024
As per the minister, the factors mentioned in the article look like Unfair Trade Practices. He has directed @jagograhakjago through CCPA to conduct a detailed inquiry into this and submit a report at the earliest. He has also asked the department to look into other sectors as well like food delivery apps, online ticket booking apps etc.
