Ola just got hit with a ₹10 lakh fine from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) over its "pre-ride tip" feature.
Turns out, Ola suggested that tipping before your ride would help you get matched faster, but the CCPA found this claim misleading, and even called it a "dark pattern."
Actual data showed that tipping didn't improve your chances of getting a ride at all.
CCPA probes Uber and Namma Yatri
The CCPA checked Ola's numbers and saw that rides with tips were actually accepted less often than those without tips in Delhi and Bengaluru.
Plus, Ola had bumped up suggested tip amounts, which goes against 2025 rules that only allow tipping after your ride is done.
The authority has now told Ola to stop asking for pre-ride payments and is also looking into other apps like Uber and Namma Yatri to keep things fair for everyone.