Ola, Uber deny allegations of differential pricing based on phone models

Their statements follow notices issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority

Ride-hailing firms Ola and Uber have denied allegations of charging different fares based on the type of mobile device used to book rides.

“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. We have clarified the same to the Central Consumer Protection Authority today, and we will work with them to clear any misunderstanding in this regard.” an Ola Consumer spokesperson said.

Similarly, Uber's spokesperson has said that the firm does not set prices based on rider's phone manufacturer.

“We do not set prices based on a rider's phone manufacturer. We look forward to working with the Central Consumer Protection Authority to clear up any misunderstanding," Uber spokesperson said.

Their statements follow notices issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), a regulatory body under the consumer affairs ministry that deals with consumer complaints.

Several consumers claimed that the platforms were showing different prices for the same rides when booked from different kinds of mobile handsets. .

“As a follow-up to the earlier observation of apparent Differential Pricing based on the different models of mobiles (iPhones/ Android) being used, Department of Consumer Affairs through the CCPA, has issued notices to major cab aggregators Ola and Uber, seeking their responses,"Union minister of consumer affairs Pralhad Joshi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).