New Delhi, Sept 15: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd, which operates the ride-hailing platform Rapido, for alleged misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices and the use of dark patterns to influence consumers into paying more for rides.
The action followed a sector-wide review of cab and bike-taxi aggregator platforms concerning practices related to advance tipping and fare-related prompts, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said in a statement.
During its examination, the CCPA found that Rapido displayed messages including suggestions that paying a higher amount could improve the chances of getting a ride while a booking was still being processed.
The regulator said the platform initially quoted a fare to the rider and, after the booking was made at that amount, displayed prompts suggesting an additional payment because drivers were allegedly not accepting the original fare.
According to the CCPA, such prompts could create an impression that consumers had to pay more to secure a ride, even though the booking had already been made at the quoted fare.
The authority said the fare displayed at the time of booking is calculated after taking into account relevant factors such as distance, travel time, traffic conditions and tolls, besides the amount payable to the driver.
It found that there was no adequate basis for subsequently seeking an additional amount for the same ride before the journey had started.
The CCPA also emphasised that a tip is generally a voluntary payment made by a consumer after receiving a service and should not be presented in a manner that makes it appear necessary for obtaining that service.
The regulator referred to the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, which provide that tipping facilities should be made available only after completion of a ride and not during the booking process or while the journey is underway.
The authority had earlier issued notices to major ride-hailing platforms, including Uber, Ola, Rapido and Namma Yatri, over compliance with the 2023 guidelines on dark patterns. The companies were also directed to submit self-declarations regarding compliance.
The CCPA said its examination of Uber and Ola remains in progress.
Dark patterns refer to design or interface practices that can manipulate or influence consumers into making choices they may not otherwise have made.
