We’ve all been there. You need to call an Uber, but your phone is dying. As it turns out, some rideshare companies may be using your phone’s low battery against you.
Over the years, people have accused rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft of many controversial practices. For example, Uber has been repeatedly accused of ignoring regulations, attempting to stifle competition, and underpaying drivers.
Now, a user on TikTok has the internet talking after hurling another accusation against the company. Specifically, TikTok user Adhiraj (@adhirajhangal) claims that Uber is using your phone’s low battery to make your ride more expensive.
Does Uber Monitor Your Phone’s Battery Life?
In a video with over 70,000 views, Adhiraj says that “Uber tracks your battery level to manipulate you into paying surge pricing.”
“Their head of economic research literally admitted they monitor your battery level to predict when you’ll accept higher prices,” he continues.
The reason for this move, Adhiraj says, is simple.
“When your battery’s dying, Uber’s AI knows you’re less likely to wait for surge prices to drop or shop around for alternatives,” he explains. “So they keep surge pricing high longer because they know desperate people will pay it.”
He notes that people with low batteries are more likely to accept surge pricing, describing the process as “pure psychological manipulation.”
“Worst part is, they collect this data on millions of users to perfect their manipulation tactics,” he concludes. “Your desperation is their business model.”
Is It True That Uber Increases Prices When Your Battery Is Low?
Uber told BroBible that “this claim is 100% false.”
“Uber does not use any information about a user’s cell phone battery level in setting prices, and has never done so,” the statement read.
However, many have repeated this claim several times over the past decade.
Keith Chen, Uber’s former head of economic research, told NPR in a 2016 interview that the company discovered people with low phone battery levels were more likely to accept surge pricing.
That said, the company has maintained that it doesn’t use low phone battery levels to change pricing.
One newspaper ran a test in which two phones, one with low battery and one with high battery, ordered a ride. The phone with a low battery was quoted a higher price. However, subsequent attempts to repeat this experiment have been unsuccessful. This is why Snopes says the claim that Uber pressures users with low batteries into surge pricing is “unproven.”
@adhirajhangal Uber is manipulating us
Commenters Are Unhappy
In the comments section, users said that, whether it was true or not, they were not comfortable with the fact that apps like Uber seemingly have access to so much information about their phones. Some also said they were taking steps to prevent Uber from being able to use their phone’s information against them.
“What other information is my phone sending to these companies that has nothing to do with the service they provide?” asked a user.
“Yeahhh thats why i carry a charger on me lmao,” added another.
“There is almost no distance that I’m not willing to walk,” declared a third.
BroBible reached out to Adhiraj via TikTok direct message and comment.