Maharashtra Cyber Dept. Issues Notices To Google, Apple Over Bike Taxis
According to the notices, certain app-based platforms are allegedly operating passenger bike taxi services in violation of provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and Transport Department regulations: Reports
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Cyber Department has issued notices to Google LLC and Apple seeking the removal or disabling of bike taxi applications such as Ola, Uber and Rapido from their platforms over alleged unauthorised operations in the state.
The notices, issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, state that Maharashtra Cyber — the state’s nodal agency for cyber-related crimes — received a complaint from Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. The action follows a letter written by the minister to the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra Cyber Department, regarding the alleged illegal operation of bike taxi services.
Sanjay Shintre, Deputy Inspector General of Police, on behalf of the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra Cyber, issued separate notices to Google LLC and Apple directing them to disable bike taxi service applications on their platforms.
According to the notices, certain app-based platforms are allegedly operating passenger bike taxi services in violation of provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and Transport Department regulations.
“It has been observed that certain app-based platforms are operating passenger transport services on a large scale through bike taxi operations without obtaining valid permissions, government approvals, or compliance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Transport Department and the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act,” the notice stated.
The notice further said that unauthorised bike taxi operations pose a serious threat to passenger safety. It added that there were concerns regarding driver verification, insurance protection, women’s safety measures and emergency response systems.
“It appears that the operation of such bike taxi services is being carried out primarily for financial gain while disregarding the existing legal framework under the Motor Vehicles Act and the rules and regulations framed by the Transport Department. Such unauthorized operations present a serious challenge to the State’s transport system and endanger the safety and welfare of the citizens of Maharashtra. In light of this, it is requested that such applications facilitating unauthorized bike taxi operations be removed from your platform in order to prevent their widespread use and to safeguard public safety and compliance with the law,” the notice said.
Officials said that since both companies have a physical presence and conduct business in India, they are required to comply with Indian laws.
“Failure to comply with directives from Indian law enforcement agencies may result in serious legal action against both companies. If any unlawful or disruptive incident occurs due to their failure to take timely action, they will be held liable,” the officials said.
Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Sarnaik said the companies must obtain permission from Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and comply with the rules and regulations of the Transport Department.
“The companies should submit complete details of drivers and vehicle registration numbers to the Transport Department before operating on the roads,” the transport minister said.
