Delhi High Court: Notice issued to food delivery companies Swiggy and Zepto as well as Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
New Delhi: On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court sent notices to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and food delivery services Swiggy and Zepto about claims that their smartphone applications are inaccessible to those with visual impairments.
The court’s action follows a petition submitted by the non-profit organization Mission Accessibility, which argued that the applications’ inaccessibility violated both the Indian Constitution and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016.
Swiggy, Zepto, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology were given four weeks by Justice Sachin Datta to reply to the petition. May 28 is the date of the next hearing.
The notification was sent in response to a petition that was submitted by Taha Bin Tasneem and attorney Sarah on behalf of NGO Mission Accessibility.
Rahul Bajaj, an advocate, represented the petitioner. The lack of accessible features, unlabeled interactive parts, missing important product data, and the difficulty of visually impaired users to position their device cameras for required transactions are just a few of the problems with the applications that are brought to light in the petition.
Due to the applications’ incompatibility with screen-reader software, visually challenged users may find it challenging to access and use the services on their own. The applications’ inaccessibility is said to deprive visually challenged people of their basic rights to freedom of speech, equality, and dignity.
According to the petitioner, these mobile applications did not meet the criteria of Rule 15 of the RPwD Rules, 2017 and Sections 40 and 46 of the Rights of People with Disabilities (RPwD) Act.
Furthermore, it is claimed that the inaccessibility of these apps breaches basic rights protected by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016, the Rules, and Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution.
The appeal also said that the problem is made worse by the Respondent Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s failure to enforce these requirements.
The petitioner requests instructions to: Conduct a thorough accessibility audit to determine the obstacles that people with disabilities now experience, Ensure that digital accessibility standards are fully followed, and make platforms compatible with screen readers. In accordance with Sections 89 and 90 of the RPwD Act, 2016, provide substitute methods for inaccessible components, include necessary features such as voice-guided camera location, and hold noncompliant organizations responsible.