Ola Asked to Remove Pre-Ride Payment Prompts After ₹10 Lakh CCPA Penalty

Ola will have to remove a feature that allowed passengers to pay extra while waiting for a driver to accept their ride, as per news reports. The Central Consumer Protection Authority has also imposed a penalty of ₹10 lakh on ANI Technologies, which operates the platform. 

The action relates to payments sought from users before their ride was confirmed. According to the Authority, the way these payments were presented to customers could influence their booking decisions. 

Extra Payment Linked to Ride Acceptance 

Passengers using the app were shown options to add money while waiting for a driver. The feature suggested that paying more could improve the chances of getting a ride sooner.

The amounts initially offered ranged from ₹10 to ₹40. Users could subsequently add as much as ₹499. 

Authority Examines the Advance Tip Feature 

The case came before the CCPA after a complaint was filed in May 2025. The Authority examined whether asking for a tip before a driver had accepted a booking could be treated as a voluntary payment.

It concluded that the feature could not be viewed in the same way as a conventional tip, which is generally given after a service has been provided. 

Prompts and Interface Must Be Removed 

The CCPA directed Ola to take down the messages and interface elements connected with the feature. 

The Authority also classified the design as confirm shaming under the dark patterns framework. It noted that the number of people affected did not change the nature of the practice. 

Ola's Response 

Ola said the payment was voluntary and transferred to drivers without any deduction. It also stated that the feature could help make certain rides more attractive to drivers. 

The company maintained that an additional payment did not guarantee that a ride would be accepted faster. 

Read More: NTPC, IOCL Among Central PSUs Committing ₹2 Trillion to Uttar Pradesh's Energy Sector! 

Conclusion 

Ola has been directed to discontinue the advance payment prompts and submit a compliance report within 15 days. The CCPA has imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty in connection with the feature. 

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