Dark Patterns And Consumer Protection In E-Commerce, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Dark patterns, deceptive user interface designs in e-commerce, are under scrutiny in India.
• The CCPA issued the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 to combat these practices.
• The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and E-Commerce Rules, 2020 form the legal basis for consumer protection.
• In 2025, the CCPA mandated self-audits for e-commerce platforms to ensure compliance.
• BookMyShow faced controversy for "basket sneaking" and was compelled to revise its interface.

Detailed Insights:

• Dark patterns manipulate consumers into making unintended choices through techniques like false urgency and hidden charges.
• The Consumer Protection Act defines "unfair trade practices," empowering the CCPA to prevent deceptive conduct.
• The 2023 Guidelines prohibit thirteen specific dark patterns, including drip pricing and confirm shaming.
• In June 2025, the CCPA directed e-commerce platforms to conduct self-audits within three months.
• By November 2025, over 26 companies submitted compliance declarations, but some allegedly continued manipulative practices.
• The CCPA issued notices and penalties against companies like Zepto for misleading interface designs.
• Enforcement remains challenging due to the rapid evolution of digital technologies and the need for greater consumer awareness.
• Legal education and academic involvement in cyber law are crucial for developing stricter policy responses.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Dark Patterns: Deceptive user interface designs that manipulate consumer choices in e-commerce.
• Unfair Trade Practices: Deceptive or fraudulent business practices that violate consumer rights.
• Consumer Autonomy: The ability of consumers to make free and informed purchasing decisions.