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Bolt Blocks Nigerian and South African Users in Response to Prank Ride Trend

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Bolt Cracks Down on "Request in Nigeria Challenge" to Protect Drivers

In a move to curb a growing trend of prank ride orders, ride-hailing company Bolt has blocked an undisclosed number of accounts from Nigeria and South Africa.

The trend, which started as a social media challenge between citizens of the two countries, involved users ordering rides in each other’s countries and then cancelling them once the driver arrived at the pickup location.

The Rivalry Escalates

This conflict was ignited by some South Africans who pranked Nigerian Drivers by booking rides and cancelling them.

Some South Africans pranked Nigerian Drivers by booking rides and cancelling them.

Some Nigerians are responding by also pranking South African Drivers.

Sadly, this will make the Drivers lose money and also waste their time. pic.twitter.com/JBSk50BIRn

— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) August 22, 2024

This trend quickly gained traction on social media, with many South Africans sharing their experiences and encouraging others to join in the prank

In retaliation, Nigerians started to prank South African drivers in a similar fashion, leading to a surge in fake ride requests in both countries.

This back-and-forth has caused significant disruptions, with drivers in both nations expressing frustration over wasted time and resources.

Reports indicate that the prank has resulted in increased fares due to surge pricing, making it difficult for genuine customers to secure rides

Bolt’s Response

In response to the chaos, Bolt has implemented measures to restrict inter-country ride requests and has blocked accounts involved in the prank. The company emphasized the need to protect the integrity of its platform and the livelihoods of its drivers

Yahaya Mohammed, country manager of Nigeria at Bolt, stated, “We understand the impact this situation has had on our driver-partners in Nigeria and South Africa. We are committed to ensuring a safe, reliable, and secure experience for all members of our community.”

Also Read: 2024: The 10 African Countries with the Lowest Fuel Prices

The Impact on Drivers

The trend reportedly triggered a disruption on the app in both countries as artificial surges and ride cancellations left drivers in frustration.

One Cape Town-based driver saidal, “I drove from Cape Town to Stellenbosch to pick up a customer only to realise it was a fake request. That’s almost 50km worth of fuel gone because of internet jokes.”

Due to Bolt’s policy of non-reimbursement to drivers for fuel spent on cancelled riders, some drivers have resorted to rejecting long-distance requests until normalcy is restored. This has led to further frustration among drivers who rely on the platform for their livelihood.

The Bigger Picture

The prank ride trend highlights the ongoing tensions between Nigeria and South Africa, which have been simmering for years. It also raises questions about the impact of social media challenges on real-world situations and the responsibility of users to consider the consequences of their actions.