There’s a new feature over at Uber, and it’s making drivers happy and passengers sad. The new feature: advanced tipping.
Not even in salons does this happen, you know!
The new tipping option, officially open on the Uber app, is giving the option for passengers to add a tip, not after the ride, but before the trip even begins, “in exchange for quicker service,” the media noted.
It’s actually officially on a roll now. Some users who booked a ride on Uber receive a message asking them to offer an “advanced tip,” with options laid out before you like a multiple-choice question in a quiz or exam in school.
Then, there’s this message that reads, “Add a tip for faster pickup. A driver may be more likely to accept this ride if you add a tip.”
Uber also tells the passenger that the driver receives 100 percent of the tip. There’s also a warning that once the tip is placed, it cannot be changed.
If you think this is a smear campaign against Uber, it is not. In fact, it is from Uber…
… which is why authorities are questioning it. The new policy is now under scrutiny.
Pralhad Joshi – the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in India – wants Uber to cancel this feature, saying it is unethical and falls under “unfair trade practices.” You will agree, right?
“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,” Joshi posted on X.
Not only did he label the feature “unfair,” but also “unethical and exploitative,” adding that the Central Consumer Protection Authority has already issued a notice to the company regarding this.
“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,” the minister went on, adding, “Fairness, transparency and accountability must be upheld in all customer interactions.”
However, netizens across the globe are divided. Some like the new Uber policy (wait, maybe they are drivers), while others scoff at it.
Some are even saying, “Uber, you’re too late.”
“It’s being done by everyone now. Rapido is also doing it,” a netizen pointed out. Another asked, “What about Ola?”
“Totally agree, this is unethical practice,” a dissenting opinion stated. Another wrote, “Great work, this is not good practice. With this tip system, it will become a bidding system, exploiting customers.”
Now, here’s the deal. Uber has to respond optimistically to the scrutiny. The media said that if Uber’s response is unsatisfactory, the authorities will take action against the world’s biggest ridesharing platform.
What are your thoughts? Could the falling Uber stocks be the reason? Sign up for your account now on Ridesharing Forum and participate in the discussion. See you there.