Tag Archives: Ride sharing

China Fines Didi Global $1.2 Billion For Violating Laws!

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China just fined Didi Global a whopping $1.2 billion for violating its cybersecurity, data security and privacy laws!

 

China Fines Didi Global $1.2 Billion For Violating Laws!

On Thursday, 21 July 2022, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced that Didi Global breached the country’s cybersecurity law, data security law, and personal information protection law.

The Chinese cyberspace regulator fined Didi Global 8 billion yuan ($1.2 billion), as well as a personal fine of 1 million yuan ($148,000) each on Chairman and CEO Cheng Wei, as well as President Liu Qing (also known as Jean Liu).

The facts of violations of laws and regulations are clear, the evidence is conclusive, the circumstances are serious, and the nature is vile.

Didi Global responded to the regulator’s announcement with a contrite statement “sincerely” accepting the judgement and penalties :

We sincerely accept this decision, and resolutely obey it. We will strictly follow the penalty decision and the requirements of relevant laws and regulations, conduct comprehensive and in-depth self-examination, and actively cooperate with supervision and complete rectification carefully.

We will take this as a warning and further strengthen the construction of cyberspace security and data security, strengthen the protection of personal information, and earnestly fulfill our social responsibilities. We will serve every passenger, driver and partner well, and realize the safe, healthy and sustainable development of the enterprise.

 

What Did Didi Do To Incur China’s Wrath?

According to an FAQ by the CAC, its investigators started their investigation of Didi in July 2021.

After conducting an extensive investigation, they found that Didi conducted data processing activities that “seriously affected national security”, and refused to comply with “the explicit requirements of regulatory authorities” and conducted “malicious evasion” of regulatory supervision.

They also stated that Didi Global committed 16 violations of China’s laws, including :

  1. Didi illegally collected 11.9639 million screenshots from its users’ mobile phone photo albums.
  2. Didi excessively collected 8.323 billion pieces of its users’ clipboard information, and application list information.
  3. Didi excessively collected 107 million pieces of passenger face recognition information, and 53.5092 million pieces of age group information, 16.3556 million pieces of occupational information, 1.3829 million pieces of family relationship information, and 153 million pieces of taxi address information.
  4. Didi excessively collected passengers’ evaluation of the drivers, when the app is running in the background, and 167 million pieces of precise location (longitude and latitude).
  5. Didi excessively collected 142,900 pieces of driver education information, and 53.976 billion pieces of “intent information”, 1.538 billion pieces of resident city information, and 304 million pieces of non-local business/travel information.
  6. Its users are frequently asked to provide “telephone permissions” while using its services.
  7. Inaccurate and clear description of user personal information processing, including device information.

The CAC noted that Didi started its bad practices in June 2015, and continued even after the Cybersecurity Law was implemented in June 2017, the Data Security Law started in January 2022, and the Personal Information Protection Law was implemented in November 2021.

 

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Ryde Introduces RydePool Car Pooling Service In Malaysia!

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Ryde, the number one carpool app in Singapore, is introducing the RydePool car pooling service in Malaysia!

Here is EVERYTHING you need to know about Ryde and their RydePool service, as well as their upcoming RydeCity feature!

 

An Introduction To Ryde + RydePool

Ryde was started by Singaporean financier Terence Zou in 2015, to encourage carpooling as a greener and more convenient transportation option.

Using its in-app request and matching technology, the RydePool service matches drivers on a particular route with commuters hoping to hitch a ride along the same route.

Unlike other ride-hailing apps, Ryde allows both advanced and on-demand bookings for RydePool, so drivers and riders can better plan their journey.

In addition, RydePool fares are based on a not-for-profit model, where riders pay for the cost contribution of the trip, taking into consideration the distance travelled, petrol, toll and car depreciation costs.

 

Ryde Introduces RydePool Car Pooling Service In Malaysia!

After becoming the number one carpool app in Singapore, Ryde is expanding globally, with Malaysia as their first step. They plan to introduce Ryde to Sydney in 2020, and Hong Kong after that.

Ryde officially launched the Ryde app and RydePool carpooling service today (16 October 2019) in the Klang Valley, with plans to eventually roll it out to other major Malaysian cities like Johor, Penang and Melaka.

You can download the Ryde app and sign up to be a driver or rider starting today, but the RydePool service will only kick off on 1 November 2019.

Ryde is currently offering drivers zero commission fares, which means the driver gets to pocket 100% of their fares to offset their driving expenses.

Later, Ryde may introduce commission rate (currently 9% in Singapore), although they are looking to monetise in other ways, like advertising and partnerships with multinational companies.

 

Ryde + RydePool Availability

The Ryde app is available for downloads and sign-ups from 16 October 2019 onwards, from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The RydePool service will begin on 1 November 2019.

 

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Get More Value From Each Grab Ride With GrabRewards

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April 27, 2017 – Today, Grab Malaysia’s Country Head, Sean Goh officially launched GrabRewards, the region’s first-ever ride-hailing passenger loyalty programme as part of the Southeast Asia’s leading ride hailing and multiservice platform’s commitment to offer a holistic, seamless and rewarding Grab ride experience to its passengers.

The official launched came after the beta version of the programme which was introduced in December 2016 received very positive and encouraging feedback from select users across the region.

 

What Is GrabRewards?

GrabRewards is designed to be a passenger-centric rewards programme which offers tiered benefits based on points accumulated by the passenger. The more frequent passengers book a ride with Grab, the more they will be rewarded with exciting varieties of deals ranging from discounted rides from Grab to exclusive promotions from Rewards Partners.

 

How Does GrabRewards Work?

GrabRewards enables all passengers across the region to start earning points on all Grab rides, with specifically GrabCar, GrabTaxi and GrabShare rides in Malaysia. Grab users will be placed in tiers based on their accumulated fare amount spent on all their rides with RM 1 spent equivaling to 1 point. Therefore, based on the total spent in the last six months, users will either be placed in Silver, Gold or Platinum, whilst new users will start at the Member tier.

For rides paid by cash, members can earn five times the points, while those opting to pay via GrabPay, Grab’s cashless payment method, will earn 10 times more. Therefore, by taking more GrabPay rides, passengers can move upwards easily and conveniently in the tier ladder to Silver, Gold and eventually Platinum, which is for Grab’s most loyal users. This is in correlation with Grab’s effort to transform Southeast Asia from a cash-based economy to a cashless one.

All members will be able to use their points to instantly redeem RM5, RM10 and RM15 off Grab rides (the redemption value from GrabRewards is up to 8.8% from a passenger’s total spent on Grab). In addition, they can also enjoy exclusive F&B, hospitality, lifestyle and retail brands, travel, and service-related apps deals offered by GrabRewards Partners such as Tesco, Happy Fresh, myBurgerLab, Forever 21, Flower Chimp, Zalora and dahmakan.

However, for those in the Platinum tier will also be entitled to the following exclusive privileges:

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  • Priority booking – Preference will be given to them when booking a ride during peak hours
  • Platinum Support Line – A dedicated hotline number built within the app to provide them immediate assistance.
  • Exclusive Access – They will be able to get first-hand experience of any new features Grab introduces.

To start earning GrabRewards points:

  1. Download the Grab App* from either Google Playstore or Apple Appstore.
  2. Key-in the respective pick-up and drop-off locations.
  3. Click Book.
  4. Upon completion of ride, you can check your GrabRewards points collected.

Tip: Register your debit*/credit card as a payment option in GrabPay to level up 10X faster!

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Grab 100% Ride Guarantee At Selected Locations

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Starting today, 17 November 2016, Grab is offering a 100% ride guarantee at selected locations in the Klang Valley. In addition, they also announced a new coupon code that gives all passengers in the Klang Valley RM5 off their rides!

 

How Does The 100% Ride Guarantee Work?

Basically, if you don’t get your ride after booking one, Grab will offer the next GrabCar ride (up to RM 8) free, or an RM 8 discount on your next GrabCar ride. Here is the step-by-step guide :

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Step 1 : Turn on the Grab app and select GrabCar (Economy).

Step 2 : Key in your pick-up and drop-off points.

Step 3 : Click Book.

Step 4 : Wait for your driver.

If the “Sorry, we couldn’t find you a driver” message pops up twice in a row, you will receive an SMS with a promo code which will make your next ride free (up to RM 8), or give you an RM 8 discount.

 

Which Areas Does The 100% Ride Guarantee Cover?

At the moment, Grab is offering the 100% Ride Guarantee at selected busy locations in the Klang Valley :

  • Bangsar
  • KL Sentral
  • Mont Kiara
  • Sri Hartamas
  • Bandar Utama
  • Taman Tun Doktor Ismail
  • Damansara Uptown
  • Popular malls like Mid Valley Megamall, The Gardens, Publika and 1 Utama Shopping Centre

 

A New Coupon Code

To encourage trials of this new 100% Ride Guarantee in the Klang Valley, Grab is offering a new coupon code – SURERIDE, which will give you RM 5 off 2 rides!

So take this opportunity to give Grab a go. Use the coupon code SURERIDE for a RM 5 discount, and if your ride doesn’t turn up – you get your next GrabCar ride free (up to RM 8), or a RM 8 discount on your next GrabCar ride!

Please note that the SURERIDE coupon code is only valid from 17-23 November 2016.

 

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