The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has shot off a letter to all internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to Uber, Ola Cabs and TaxiForSure in Delhi. This is to prevent users from booking taxis/cabs through mobile apps and websites of these aggregators. While they will be blocked in Delhi, these aggregators operate across many cities in the country.
According to sources, the DoT has asked all ISPs to comply with the order immediately or face action.
The Delhi transport department had earlier written to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to block access to these applications.
One of the members from Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI) confirmed receiving the communication from DoT on Wednesday.
“We have been asked to block access to these sites under Section 69 A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. And we will comply with the order,” said the member cited above.
In March this year, the Supreme Court had upheld the Constitutional validity of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, under which the Centre can exercise its power to issue directions to block an internet site.
Taxi aggregators such as Uber and Ola had submitted their applications to get a licence under the amended radio taxi policy after the Delhi government banned them from providing their services in December last year. However, the Delhi transport office has been insisting on an affidavit from the companies affirming they have complied with the ban before it processes their applications.
Also, in January this year, the Delhi government had found deficiencies in the licence application filed by US-based company Uber through a subsidiary —Resource Expert India. It also found deficiencies in the applications of TaxiForSure and APRA Cabs India, which had applied for a licence under the brand name of Ola Cabs. When contacted, Taxi for Sure CEO denied receiving any such notice. While, Ola and Uber could not be reached for comments.
