26 leading ecommerce platforms self-declare compliance against dark patterns: Govt
The government has been actively working to curb such manipulative practices to protect consumer rights in the digital marketplace.
The government on Thursday announced that 26 major ecommerce companies have voluntarily self-declared their platforms as free from ‘dark patterns’, design practices intended to mislead or manipulate consumers into unintended actions.
Dark patterns, considered a form of unfair trade practice, use interface design and choice architecture to influence user behaviour against their best interest. Common examples include drip pricing, disguised advertisements, bait-and-switch tactics, false urgency, subscription traps, and confirm shaming.
The government has been actively working to curb such manipulative practices to protect consumer rights in the digital marketplace.
The Department of Consumer Affairs stated that these ecommerce players have submitted self-declaration letters confirming compliance with the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, which were notified on November 30, 2023.
The guidelines identify and prohibit 13 specific dark patterns, including False Urgency, Basket Sneaking, Confirm Shaming, Forced Action, Subscription Trap, Interface Interference, Bait & Switch, Drip Pricing, Disguised Advertisements, Nagging, Trick Wording, SaaS Billing, and Rogue Malware.
According to the Department, these platforms, Zepto, Zomato, Swiggy, JioMart, BigBasket, PharmEasy, Flipkart, Myntra, Walmart India, MakeMyTrip, Blinkit, Page Industries, William Penn, Cleartrip, Reliance Jewels, Reliance Digital, Netmeds, Tata 1mg, Meesho, Ixigo, MilBasket, Hamleys, Ajio, Tira Beauty, Duroflex, and Curaden India, have conducted internal self-audits or third-party audits to assess, identify, and remove any presence of dark patterns.
“All 26 companies have declared that their platforms are free from dark patterns and do not deploy any manipulative user interface designs,” the department said in a statement.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) noted that these voluntary declarations could set a precedent for wider industry self-regulation, encouraging other digital businesses to adopt similar compliance measures.
Dark patterns have been a growing concern globally as ecommerce and digital platforms expand, often exploiting subtle interface design choices to nudge consumers toward purchases or subscriptions they might not otherwise make. The Indian government’s guidelines aim to create a transparent, fair, and accountable digital marketplace, emphasising consumer trust and protection.
“The self-declaration is a significant step towards protecting consumer interest in the digital marketplace,” the Department of Consumer Affairs added.
By implementing these guidelines and conducting audits, these 26 platforms demonstrate the feasibility of proactive compliance in addressing consumer manipulation, paving the way for stronger digital consumer protection frameworks in India.
(With inputs from PTI.)
Edited by Jyoti Narayan