The Maharashtra government’s cyber department has ordered tech companies Google and Apple to remove apps like Uber, Ola and App Store from their Play, Ola and Rapido stores, according to several media reports.
The Office of the Additional Director General of Police issued a notice on Friday, May 15, pursuant to Section 79(3)(a). (b) of the Information Technology Act of 2000. Both Google and Apple were ordered to “remove and disable access” to these applications from their digital marketplaces.
Uber, Ola and Rapido have drawn the ire of authorities for unlicensed taxi services plying the roads without the required government approval.
“It has been observed that some app-based platforms are operating passenger transport services on a large scale through cycle taxi operations without obtaining valid permits, government approvals or following the rules and regulations prescribed by the Ministry of Transport and the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act,” the notice said, according to an NDTV report.
“Driver verification mechanisms, insurance coverage, safety measures for women and emergency response systems have been reported to be highly inadequate. In addition, the rash and careless driving commonly associated with such cycle taxi operations poses a significant risk to public safety. A serious incident recently came to light where a cycle taxi service operated through one of these apps allegedly resulted in the tragic death of a woman. Several criminal cases have been registered in this regard and several similar cases Maharash,” he stated. he also said.
“Since your organization has a physical presence and does business in India, it is subject to the jurisdiction of Indian laws. Failure to comply with the directions of Indian law enforcement agencies may result in serious legal action against you. You are hereby warned that if any illegal or disruptive incident occurs due to your failure to take timely action, you will be held liable,” Apple and Google’s notice also said.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has asked the cyber department to take legal action against these ride-hailing apps by filing an FIR against them for the bike operations carried out in the state.
Restrictions only for cycle taxis: DGIPR
The cyber department says that these cycle taxis do not respect the legal framework of the state. In a post on X, the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) dispelled rumors that these ride-hailing services are completely banned in the state and clarified that the action is limited to cycle taxis only.
“The claim doing the rounds on social media that all Ola, Uber and Rapido services have been completely shut down in Maharashtra is misleading,” X’s post read.
“Transport Ministry has taken a strict stand against unauthorized cycle taxi services operating in the state. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has written to the #CyberCrime department demanding an immediate stop to unauthorized cycle taxi services like #Ola, #Uber and #Rapido and filing of FIRs against the respective company owners.”
