# Centre orders cab aggregators to stop advance tipping

2026-09-16T15:41:28+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

The government has directed cab aggregators including Uber, Ola and Rapido to discontinue advance tipping options, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said on Wednesday. Khare described the practice as misleading and an unfair trade practice, stating that tipping should be voluntary and left to the consumer's discretion after the ride. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) had on Tuesday imposed a Rs 10 lakh penalty on Rapido for various unfair practices, including pre-ride tipping prompts. The CCPA's investigation found Rapido's app displayed messages such as 'Higher the price, higher the chance of getting a ride' and 'Captains aren't accepting at Rs 60. Try adding +10, +20, +30' while a booking was being processed. The regulator held this constituted 'Confirm Shaming', a dark pattern under the 2023 guidelines. The CCPA is also examining the practices of Uber and Ola, with investigations ongoing.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All four outlets report the same facts: a government order against advance tipping and a Rs 10 lakh fine on Rapido for dark patterns. The coverage is uniform straight reporting. The story marks a regulatory shift: after years of consumer complaints, the CCPA is now moving from advisories to penalties, with Uber and Ola under active investigation. The Rapido order sets a precedent that pre-service tipping prompts can be deemed a dark pattern, which may reshape how ride-hailing apps design their booking interfaces.

## Coverage

- thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindu.com/business/government-asks-cab-aggregators-to-stop-advance-tipping-option-consumer-affairs-secy-khare/article71472043.ece>
  Straight reporting of government order and CCPA action
- ndtvprofit.com (neutral report) <https://www.ndtvprofit.com/india/govt-asks-cab-aggregators-to-stop-advance-tipping-option-consumer-affairs-secy-khare-12054631#publisher=newsstand>
  Brief factual report of the directive
- medianama.com (neutral report) <https://www.medianama.com/2026/09/223-ccpa-rapido-dark-pattern-tipping-prompts/>
  Detailed factual account including Rapido's defence
- livemint.com (neutral report) <https://www.livemint.com/news/india/uber-ola-and-other-cab-aggregators-directed-to-cease-advance-tipping-option-govt-calls-it-misleading-unfair-11789563710972.html>
  Straight news report with explanatory Q&A

Tags: CCPA, Nidhi Khare, Ola, Rapido, Uber
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