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Apple faces CCPA Notice over iPhone Performance issues; Ola and Uber under scrutiny for Differential Pricing

Apple has received a notice from India’s Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) following complaints about performance issues with iPhones after the rollout of its iOS 18 software update. The notice was issued after the Department of Consumer Affairs received grievances on the National Consumer Helpline, according to Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.

“After receiving complaints on the National Consumer Helpline regarding performance issues in #iPhones following the iOS 18+ software update, the department, after examining these grievances, has issued a notice to #Apple through the CCPA, seeking a response on the matter,” Joshi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Alleged Issues with iOS 18 Update

The complaints come amid Apple’s expansion in one of its fastest-growing markets, where the company has been ramping up its retail presence and manufacturing operations. The performance concerns reportedly coincide with the introduction of a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature in iOS 18, which has faced scrutiny.

The AI-driven feature, designed to provide personalised news and entertainment updates, was disabled in a beta update last week after users reported false or misleading alerts, a phenomenon known as “AI hallucinations.” Apple acknowledged the issue and has temporarily removed the feature in the beta version of iOS 18.3. Apple is reportedly working on a fix, with the final release expected in the coming weeks.

Apple’s iOS 18.2 update introduced several features under its “Apple Intelligence” initiative, including Image Playground, custom emoji creation, and ChatGPT integration into Siri. However, these additions have been outweighed by the technical problems that have prompted government intervention.

Broader Consumer Concerns

In addition to the notice issued to Apple, the CCPA has also taken action against major cab aggregators Ola and Uber. These companies are under scrutiny for alleged differential pricing based on the type of mobile devices customers use.

The investigation centres on reports that Ola and Uber may charge different fares for the same ride based on whether customers are using iPhones or Android devices. This practice, known as differential pricing, has raised concerns about fairness and transparency. While the exact mechanism for this pricing model remains unclear, it has prompted the CCPA to seek explanations from both companies.

“As a follow-up to the earlier observation of apparent #DifferentialPricing based on the different models of mobiles (#iPhones/ #Android) being used, Department of Consumer Affairs through the CCPA, has issued notices to major cab aggregators #Ola and #Uber, seeking their responses,” Joshi stated in another post on X.

The notices are part of a broader push by the Indian government to ensure consumer rights are protected in an increasingly tech-driven marketplace. Both Apple and the cab aggregators will be required to respond to the queries raised by the CCPA.

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