Bengaluru's ride-hailing apps replace ‘advance tip' with ‘voluntary' tag after minister Pralhad Joshi's criticism

Time of India

2 days ago

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Bengaluru: Your ride wasn't booked, but the aggregator app already wanted a tip? Well, things just got slightly more polite. Days after Union minister Pralhad Joshi asked Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to investigate why ride-hailing apps were nudging users for tips before the ride even began, a new word has quietly rolled into the app interface: 'Voluntary tip'.
Platforms like Namma Yatri and Ola seem to have heard the buzz and the backlash. Now, when users are booking a ride, the advance tip option comes with a little label that spells out its nature loud and clear: Voluntary. Riders can skip the tip, and the app won't hold their ride.
Uber, on the other hand, has not introduced a "voluntary" label, but appears to have reduced the frequency with which the advance tip prompt appears during the booking process.
While the option remains part of the app, it is now shown less prominently, possibly as a way to soften the user experience without making direct changes to the interface.
Many users said the change does make a difference. Priya Srisha, 34, a resident of Indiranagar, said, "I use ride-hailing apps almost every day to commute to work. A few weeks ago, I noticed the app was asking for a tip before the ride even started. It felt odd; how do I know if the service deserves a tip before the driver has even shown up? But now, after the update, there's a small label next to the tip box that says 'voluntary'.
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That word makes a big difference. I no longer feel guilty for skipping it. Before this, it almost felt like tipping was part of the fare."
Suresh R, 42, a resident of Bellandur, said, "I use both Ola and Uber. Ola now makes it clearer that tip is optional, calling it voluntary. Earlier, I thought not tipping might affect my chances of getting a good driver or lead to cancellation, especially during peak hours. But now, the app continues to the next screen even if I don't add a tip.
Uber seems to have stopped showing the advance tip as often; it used to pop up almost every time, now it's more scattered.
It's a welcome change, honestly. Tipping should be based on the ride experience, not a pre-condition."
Uber was unavailable for comments on the matter.
Tip in advance unethical, exploitative: Minister
Prahalad Joshi posted on X, saying, "The practice of 'Advance Tip' is deeply concerning. Forcing or nudging users to pay a tip in advance, for faster service is unethical and exploitative.
Such actions fall under unfair trade practices. Tip is given as a token of appreciation not as a matter of right, after the service. Taking cognisance of this, I had asked CCPA to look into it and today CCPA has issued a notice to Uber in this regard, seeking explanation from the platform.
Fairness, transparency and accountability must be upheld in all customer interactions."
As an update to this issue, he tweeted, "CCPA is investigating other apps, they will also be served notice if they are found indulging in such practices."