(Yicai Global) Sept. 2 -- Didi Chuxing, Meituan and nine other Chinese ridehailing firms were instructed to slash their commissions by government ministries yesterday to prevent them from putting the squeeze on drivers amid vicious rivalry between platforms.

Ridehailing platforms must make sure drivers get paid fairly and have enough rest time, the Ministry of Transport said on its website today. They must disclose their pricing rules and commission scale, as well as safeguard the rights and interests of drivers and passengers.

There are 236 ride-hailing apps in China at present, with over 3.51 million licensed drivers. The platforms can take as much as half of the fare as a commission, with the rest going to the drivers, according to a survey by People’s Daily Online. A typical commission is around 35 percent.

Internet-based firms are also being told to ramp up data security and are not permitted to provide user data to third parties without consent. They must establish data security management systems to securely collect, transmit, store and process customer information.

Editor: Kim Taylor