An Indian government body has sent notices to ride-hailing firms Ola and Uber over alleged differential pricing for Android and Apple phones, the country's consumer affairs minister, Pralhad Joshi, said in a post on X on Thursday.

The controversy began after reports and social media posts suggested that cab fares for identical routes and timings were higher when booked through iPhones compared to Android devices.

Uber said it does not set ride prices based on a user's phone model, shortly after an Indian government body alleged that the ride-hailing giant and its domestic rival Ola use differential pricing for Android and Apple phones.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued notices to Ola and Uber over allegations of charging consumers differently based on their mobile devices and battery levels. A viral post by a Delhi entrepreneur sparked claims of "differential pricing,

Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, announced on Thursday that the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to major cab aggregators, Ola and Uber, over alleged differential pricing based on the type of smartphone being used by consumers.