The Centre has introduced guidelines for the prevention and regulation of dark patterns and has banned its use on e-commerce platforms that intend to deceive customers or manipulate their choices.
In a gazette dated 30 November 2023 by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), the new guidelines were notified and will apply to all ecommerce platforms offering goods and services in India along with advertisers and sellers.
Centre stressed a penalty will be imposed as per the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, for resorting to dark patterns causing misleading advertisements or unfair trade practices and violation of consumer rights.
A dark pattern is a deceptive design pattern that is crafted carefully to trick users while online shopping, such as buying overpriced insurance with their purchase or signing up for recurring bills.
According to the notification, dark patterns are defined as a subvert or impair to trick consumer autonomy, decision making, or choice.
CCPA has specified 13 dark patterns to guide the industry.
