Valérie Pécresse, president of Île-de-France, has voiced strong opposition to the Akha app, which helps users report RATP inspectors on public transport, claiming it promotes fraud and endangers safety. The app, which has gained popularity with features similar to Waze, allows users to alert others about delays and inspector presence. Despite its controversial nature and potential legal repercussions, Akha’s founder, Sid-Ahmed Mekhiche, defends it as a community-driven solution to ongoing public transport issues, boasting a growing user base and crowdfunding support.
Valérie Pécresse Takes a Stand Against the Akha Application
This week began with Valérie Pécresse wielding her metaphorical sickle. After announcing her intention to abolish the Agency for Ecological Transition (Ademe) during a Monday morning segment on France Inter, the president of the Île-de-France region demonstrated her firm stance against the Akha application later that afternoon on X. The former minister expressed her “outrage” over this app, which allows users to report the presence of RATP inspectors on public transportation across the Paris region. She stated, “Akha shamelessly facilitates transport fraud by pinpointing the locations of inspectors and security personnel. This tool also aids delinquents and criminals.” Pécresse has demanded the immediate closure of the app and has reached out to both Google Play and the Apple Store to take action. Meanwhile, Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), the governing body for public transport in the region, plans to file a formal complaint. “Fraud is theft, and ensuring transport safety is our top priority!” Pécresse concluded.
The Controversial Nature of Akha
As Pécresse highlights, “akha” (pronounced “kh” like the Spanish “j,” similar to the French “r”) is an onomatopoeia used within the drug dealing community to alert others about the arrival of law enforcement, translating to “attention” in Arabic. The artist Booba references it in his song AZERTY, rapping, “The new lookout got tattooed ’22, akha, the BAC is here.'” The Akha app functions similarly to Waze for public transport, featuring an interactive map that allows users to geolocate and report three categories of issues: delays, safety concerns (such as pickpockets or harassers), and an “akha” alert indicating the presence of inspectors. The founder, Sid-Ahmed Mekhiche, has been notably vague about this last reporting feature, often stating with a grin on the app’s TikTok account, “We understand each other.”
Reporting the presence of inspectors is illegal under Article L2242-10 of the Transport Code, which stipulates that disseminating any message that signals the presence of inspectors is punishable by two months in prison and a fine of €3,750. As of now, Mekhiche has not responded to inquiries regarding the app.
At 26 years old and residing in Issou, Yvelines, Mekhiche, known online as Sidox, holds a degree in web engineering and currently works as a software engineer for the IT consulting firm Cellenza. On the Akha website, he describes the app as “a community” and a response from a former student from the suburbs to a pressing mobility issue. He elaborates, “For years, daily life for public transport users in France has been declining. Daily viral videos showcase overcrowded trains, assaults, and a multitude of issues, all while costs continue to escalate. In this urgent context, the AKHA project aims to amplify the voices of those who rely on these train, subway, or RER networks.”
Launched in early 2024 and gaining traction through events like the Olympic Games and various strikes, the app has attracted a significant user base. Mekhiche recently reported 130,000 users and has seen the app rise to the top of the Apple Store’s rankings, even surpassing ChatGPT. Additionally, a crowdfunding campaign on Ulule has collected nearly €1,500 from 36 contributions, aiming for a target of €3,000. Mekhiche envisions using these funds to “expand” the app and “provide an even more sophisticated product,” raising questions about the validity of Pécresse’s criticism of his initiative.