Swiggy and Zepto Received Notices from HC for Unfriendly Apps for Visually Impaired

According to reports, the Delhi High Court (HC) has sent notifications to Zepto and Swiggy. This notice has been sent as their respective applications' complicated user interfaces for those with visual impairments.

The HC made the ruling after a hearing on a petition submitted by the non-governmental organisation Mission Accessibility. Justice Sachin Datta gave the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and both platforms four weeks to reply.

The petition, spearheaded by accessibility advocate Amar Jain, contends that both platforms have not guaranteed compatibility with screen-reader software in spite of legislative requirements under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. According to the petition, visually challenged individuals are unable to browse products or place orders on the two sites on their own because screen reader software is not included.

 The argument contends that these apps' inaccessibility denies people with disabilities (PwDs) equitable access to basic services like grocery shopping and meal delivery. Hence, infringing on their constitutional rights. The next hearing on the case has been set for May 28 by the court.

Rapido Also Navigating in Same Waters

This comes after a comparable incident with the unicorn ride-hailing service Rapido. In September 2024, while considering a plea filed by Jain and visually challenged banker Dipto Ghosh Chaudhary, the Delhi High Court ordered Rapido to provide an accessibility audit and compliance report within three months.

 Users with disabilities encountered challenges in accessing services due to Rapido's app's lack of compatibility with screen-reading software, as emphasised in the petition. Rapido responded by promising to update its software within six to eight months to comply with accessibility guidelines.

Rapido Failed to Fix the issue

The high court voiced its displeasure with Rapido's progress during a March hearing. The ride-hailing app was given a four-month deadline by the court to address accessibility concerns or "pack up from India".

The judge also asked how Rapido was permitted to operate without adhering to current handicap access legislation during the hearing.

Rapido's audit report, which was presented to the High Court, identified 81 significant accessibility failures and 170 accessibility problems at Level A of the fundamental Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

 Notably, both cases highlight the growing judicial scrutiny of Indian internet companies for not adhering to digital accessibility requirements set forth by Indian legislation, specifically the RPwD Act of 2016.