'Asking Us To Bribe The Driver': Internet Slams Uber’s Advance Tip Feature

The internet is ablaze with criticism of Uber’s new 'Advance tip' feature, with users accusing the ride-hailing giant of pressuring them to pay extra upfront for faster service.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority has now stepped in, and issued a notice to Uber after Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi condemned the practice as “unethical and exploitative". “Such actions fall under unfair trade practices,” he said on social media while ordering a formal investigation.

Uber’s app prompts users to add tips of Rs 50, Rs 75, or Rs 100 while booking a ride, suggesting that doing so may increase the chances of a driver accepting the trip. The app also warns users that the tip, once added, cannot be modified, and assures that the full amount goes to the driver.

Social media users are frustrated over this new feature, with many likening it to paying a waiter before getting service.

“Thanks to this feature, now the drivers don't accept the ride at the given rate anymore. And on top of that, we have to add more than Rs 100 tip to make them accept the ride," one user said on X.

Another sarcastically added, “Uber introduced a TIP SYSTEM for faster pick up. Wow. Now the customer will pay so that Uber can take a pickup request....Brilliant Move.”

“I am amazed. Uber India can ask customers to add a tip to the fare to get a cab. A tip is a way to show appreciation after one receives good service," another said.

The East Bengaluru citizens’ movement thanked Pralhad Joshi for raising the issue. “This has become a new revenue model for ride aggregators. In fact, in many cases, drivers don’t accept rides without a tip. More importantly, tips reveal users’ locations, which are otherwise private, posing a potential safety risk and possibly leading to denial of rides to interior areas," it said on X.

“This is bad practice,” a user wrote. “It's like a waiter agreeing to serve you at a restaurant, only after you have paid the tip in advance.”

“I have had to rely on Uber/Ola today, and the tip is being demanded by drivers, if I have not opted for it even before they reach the destination. Uber/Ola made it easy for women to travel to different cities for work. Specifically for someone like me, but I can't be held responsible for it before service is paid.”

“The word is ‘Bribe’ @Uber, not ‘tip’. Basically you’re asking us to bribe the driver for an assured and faster pick up. So ethical,” a comment read.

This isn’t the first time Uber has come under the CCPA’s lens. In January, the authority issued notices to both Uber and Ola over allegations of charging different fares, based on whether users booked rides from Android or iPhone devices.