Company Labels Rival's Claims as "Malicious", Stresses Indian Origin and Compliance
New Delhi, May 15 – Online travel services giant MakeMyTrip has firmly denied allegations of Chinese ownership and data security concerns raised by EaseMyTrip Founder Nishant Pitti. The company asserted that it is an Indian entity, fully compliant with Indian laws and data privacy norms.The controversy erupted after Pitti shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening, implying that Indian armed forces were booking discounted travel via a platform he claimed was majorly owned by China. Without naming MakeMyTrip directly, Pitti attached screenshots showing booking details and warned of potential exposure of sensitive defence travel data to foreign adversaries.
"Indian Armed Forces book discounted tickets via a platform majorly owned by China, entering Defence ID, route & date. Our enemies know where our soldiers are flying," he alleged, calling for immediate remedial action.
In response, MakeMyTrip dismissed the accusations. A company spokesperson stated, "We don't comment on malicious or motivated accusations and remain focused on offering our best services to our customers as a responsible Indian corporate."
Addressing the ownership issue, the spokesperson clarified, "MakeMyTrip is a proud Indian company, founded by Indians, headquartered in India, and trusted by millions of Indian travellers for over 25 years. We are a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq, with a diverse shareholder base spanning the globe."
The company also underscored its operational integrity, saying its business is independently run by a team of experienced Indian professionals, with a strong focus on governance and legal compliance. “We adhere to stringent corporate governance standards and fully comply with all applicable Indian laws and data privacy frameworks,” the spokesperson added.
The remarks come amidst heightened scrutiny over data security and ownership in critical sectors, especially involving sensitive government or defence-related information.