In May 2026, the Maharashtra State Cyber department reportedly issued notices to technology companies Apple and Google seeking the removal or disabling of access to ride-hailing applications operated by Uber, Ola and Rapido on their respective app stores. According to news reports, the notices were dated 15 May 2026 and were linked to an ongoing dispute over the legality of bike-taxi services offered through these platforms in the state.
The action was taken on the grounds that bike-taxi operations on the apps were allegedly running without the permissions required under motor vehicle and state transport rules. The notices place the platforms at the centre of a wider regulatory tussle between aggregator services and state transport authorities in Maharashtra.
The development marks one of the more significant regulatory escalations involving major ride-hailing apps in India, as it targets app distribution channels rather than the operators directly.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Maharashtra State Cyber |
| Notice recipients | Apple and Google |
| Date of notices | 15 May 2026 (reported) |
| Apps named | Uber, Ola, Rapido |
| Stated concern | Alleged illegal bike-taxi operations |
| Action sought | Removal or disabling of access to the apps on app stores |
| State | Maharashtra |
According to reports by The Indian Express, The Federal and News24, Maharashtra State Cyber wrote to Apple and Google asking that the Uber, Ola and Rapido applications be removed from their app stores or that user access to them be disabled. The communications were directed at the platform operators that distribute mobile applications to users in India, rather than at the ride-hailing companies alone.
The reasoning cited in the notices, as summarised in the reports, centred on the operation of bike-taxi services through the apps. The state authorities reportedly took the view that such services were being offered without the permissions or authorisations stipulated under applicable motor vehicle and state transport regulations.
Bike-taxi services, in which two-wheelers are used to ferry paying passengers, have been a recurring point of friction between aggregator platforms and state transport regulators in India. Different states have taken different positions on whether private two-wheelers can be commercially used for passenger transport, and on what kind of permits or aggregator licences are required.
In Maharashtra, the latest notices indicate that authorities have moved beyond engaging only with the aggregators and are now seeking action at the level of mobile app distribution. Reports suggest that the state's position is that the bike-taxi component of these services lacks the necessary regulatory clearance.
Uber, Ola and Rapido are among the most widely used mobility platforms in urban India, offering services that include cab bookings, auto-rickshaw rides and, in several cities, two-wheeler rides. Uber and Ola are primarily known for four-wheeler ride-hailing, while Rapido has had a strong association with bike-taxi services. All three operate through smartphone applications distributed on Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store.
As of the reports cited, there was no indication in the source material of formal responses from the companies named, or from Apple and Google, to the Maharashtra notices.
Maharashtra is one of India's largest markets for ride-hailing services, with major demand centres including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and other cities. State authorities have over the years engaged with aggregator platforms on issues such as fare regulation, driver welfare and the legal status of certain service categories.
The bike-taxi question, in particular, has raised legal and policy debates around the use of private vehicles for commercial passenger transport, the scope of aggregator rules and the protection of passengers using such services. The Maharashtra Cyber notices, as reported, reflect an attempt to use digital and platform-level levers — specifically, app store availability — to enforce the state's interpretation of these rules.
The matter is also significant because it touches on the responsibilities of app store operators. If acted upon, requests of this nature could affect how international platforms like Apple and Google handle takedown demands from state-level authorities in India.
For users in Maharashtra, the immediate practical impact would depend on whether Apple and Google act on the notices and on how the ride-hailing companies respond. The reports do not indicate any confirmed removal of the apps at the time of publication.
For the wider ride-hailing sector, the episode highlights the regulatory uncertainty surrounding bike-taxi services and the growing willingness of state authorities to involve app distribution platforms in enforcement actions.