Centre directs e-commerce platforms to audit and eliminate 'dark patterns'
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In a move aimed at strengthening consumer protection in the digital marketplace, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued an advisory requiring all e-commerce platforms to conduct internal audits to detect and remove "dark patterns"—design tactics that mislead users into making unintended choices.
According to a statement released on Saturday, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has instructed platforms to carry out these self-assessments within three months of the advisory's issuance. The goal is to identify and eliminate interface features that could constitute unfair trade practices or restrict consumer autonomy.
"All e-commerce platforms have been advised to conduct self-audits to identify dark patterns, within 3 months of the issue of the advisory, and take necessary steps to ensure that their platforms are free from such dark patterns," the ministry stated.
Following the audits, companies are encouraged to submit self-declarations affirming that their websites are free from deceptive design elements. These declarations, the CCPA noted, will play a vital role in reinforcing consumer trust and promoting a fair digital shopping environment.
The authority revealed that it has already issued notices to some platforms for violating existing dark pattern guidelines, though it did not name the companies involved.
Dark patterns include various manipulative tactics such as hidden costs at checkout, urgency cues, misleading advertisements, and subscription traps—strategies designed to exploit users' decision-making without their full awareness.
To oversee implementation and ensure compliance, the government has formed a Joint Working Group. This body includes representatives from relevant ministries, regulatory agencies, consumer advocacy groups, and national law universities. It is tasked with monitoring violations and proposing awareness campaigns.
The advisory aligns with the government’s 2023 guidelines on dark patterns, which defined 13 specific deceptive practices such as basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced actions, interface interference, drip pricing, bait-and-switch tactics, and manipulative subscription billing.
