Uber disputes using pricing based on phone models.

Uber claimed it does not adjust travel charges depending on a user’s phone model, after an Indian government committee accused the ride-hailing giant and its domestic rival Ola of using differential pricing for Android and Apple devices.

On Thursday, India’s consumer affairs minister Pralhad Joshi stated on X that the Central Consumer Protection Agency (CCPA) had given notifications to the corporations over the alleged price gap or “differential pricing”.

According to an Uber spokeswoman, charges are not decided depending on the manufacturer of a rider’s phone. We look forward to working with the Central Consumer Protection Authority to resolve any misunderstandings.”

According to local media reports and consumer complaints on social media, iPhone users were paid more for the same journey as those who used phones running Android operating systems.

Joshi stated that he will order the CCPA to investigate differential pricing techniques employed by other industries, such as food delivery and online ticketing platforms.

Ola, Google, and Apple did not answer to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Joshi called differential pricing a “unfair trade practice” that violates consumer rights in a “blatant disregard” last month.

Uber is competing fiercely with SoftBank-backed Ola, competitor Rapido, and all-electric ride-hailing service BluSmart in India, one of the company’s largest markets outside the United States and Canada.