Centre Asks E-Commerce Platforms To Audit And Eliminate 'Dark Patterns' Within Three Months —All About It

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued advisory to all e-commerce platforms to take necessary steps to ensure that their platforms do not engage in deceptive and unfair trade practice which are in the nature of Dark Patterns, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Saturday (7 June).

This is part of the Centre’s broader effort to ensure fair consumer experiences in the digital marketplace.

As per the advisory, platforms have been given three-months to conduct self-audits and identify any presence of dark patterns—design elements that mislead users or manipulate their decisions, such as false urgency, basket sneaking, or disguised ads, and take necessary steps to ensure that their platforms are free from such dark patterns.

Platforms are also encouraged to issue self-declarations affirming that they are free from such practices, a move aimed at enhancing transparency and consumer trust.

The CCPA has already issued notices to several e-commerce companies found violating the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, which were officially notified in 2023.

The guidelines define and prohibit 13 types of manipulative design patterns, including False urgency, Basket Sneaking, Confirm shaming, forced action, Subscription trap, Interface Interference, Bait and switch, Drip Pricing, Disguised Advertisements and Nagging, Trick Wording, Saas Billing and Rogue Malwares.

“All e-commerce platforms are therefore, advised to refrain from deploying deceptive design interfaces that mislead consumers or manipulate their decision-making,” the Authority warned, adding that it is actively monitoring for guideline violations.

To further tighten oversight, the Department of Consumer Affairs has constituted a Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising representatives from key ministries, regulatory bodies, law universities, and consumer organizations.

The JWG will identify and flag violations regularly, while also proposing awareness programs to educate consumers about dark patterns.

Also Read: India Sees 26.9 Crore Exit Extreme Poverty Between 2011 And 2023 As Rate Falls To 5.3 Per Cent, World Bank Data Shows