Centre Issues Notices to Apple, Ola, Uber Over Software Performance and Pricing Disparities

Centre Issues Notices to Apple: The Central Consumer Protection Authority has issued notices to tech giant Apple Inc. and ride-hailing companies Ola and Uber following consumer complaints. Minister of Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi revealed that the notices had been issued as there were allegations of differential pricing based on mobile operating systems, besides concerns over software performance.

Apple has been asked to respond to grievances from iPhone users who reported technical issues after a recent iOS update. According to a survey conducted by LocalCircles, nearly 60% of iPhone users experienced service disruptions, with call failures being the most reported issue. Furthermore, 90% of the surveyed users attributed these problems to an iOS update, ruling out issues with WiFi or mobile networks.

In a post through social media, the minister noted that, after examining the grievance complaints raised by the consumer, the department has issued notice to Apple, under CCPA, to request an explanation over the matter.

Apple has also been coming up with updates like iOS 18.0.1 in October, which it had come out with to sort out the problems of screen and camera freezing and the latest update 18.2.1 for further bugs. The government is forced to intervene as consumers are still unhappy.

At the same time, cab aggregators Ola and Uber are also facing criticism on the issue of price discrimination allegedly being done between mobile operating systems- iPhone and Android.

Joshi had earlier slammed the practice, calling it a “prima facie unfair trade practice” and a “blatant disregard” for consumers’ rights. In his recent statement, he reaffirmed the government’s “zero tolerance for consumer exploitation” and directed the CCPA to conduct a comprehensive investigation into these allegations.

The notices come amid rising evidence and public outcry over differential pricing, with many consumers alleging that fares were significantly higher when using iPhones versus Android devices.
The minister said the government would not protect an individual but rather concerns itself with ensuring consumer interests are protected in the fast-evolving tech landscape. Joshi assured citizens that the CCPA would take all measures to ensure fair practices and hold corporations responsible.

So far, neither Apple nor the cab aggregators Ola and Uber have issued responses to the notices. Their replies are eagerly awaited as the government continues its push for greater transparency and consumer fairness in the technology and service sectors.

This development reflects increasing vigilance from Indian authorities toward addressing consumer grievances and holding globally and domestically operated corporations in the country accountable.