Rapido Fined ₹10 Lakh: Why CCPA Objected to Pre-Ride Tipping Prompts

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty on Rapido for displaying pre-ride tipping prompts that suggested consumers could increase their chances of getting a ride by paying extra. The Authority held that the prompts constituted misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices, unfair contractual terms, and prohibited dark patterns. It further clarified that a tip is an acknowledgment of service rendered and cannot be converted into a pre-condition for obtaining the service itself.