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If you shop online and have ever felt that the website forced you to make a decision, like "hurry up, the offer is ending" or "the price was quietly increased without telling you the extra charge", then you have probably become a victim of dark patterns. Now the government has taken strict action on this.

What are dark patterns?

Dark patterns are such design or interface tricks that deceive online buyers and make them take the desired decision. These include tricks like "false urgency" (such as false fear of limited stock), "basket sneaking" (adding charges without telling) and "subscription trap".

CCPA's big step

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has strictly warned all e-commerce companies to remove dark patterns from their platforms. For this, they will have to conduct a self-audit within 3 months to ensure that no fraud or deceptive trade practice is taking place on their platform.

The government wants the companies to declare themselves that they are not involved in any dark pattern. This will strengthen the trust between consumers and online platforms and create a fair digital ecosystem.

Action against those violating guidelines

CCPA has already issued notices to some e-commerce companies, which are accused of breaking dark pattern guidelines. The authority has clearly stated that it is keeping a close watch on such fraudulent design techniques.

Responsibility of JWG

The Department of Consumer Affairs has formed a Joint Working Group (JWG), which includes representatives from ministries, regulators, consumer organizations and law universities. This group will identify dark patterns on e-commerce and will regularly inform the government. Also, it will recommend campaigns to spread awareness among consumers.

13 dark patterns have been identified

The guidelines issued by the government in 2023 identify 13 dark patterns that are commonly used to confuse or deceive consumers on e-commerce and digital platforms. Their purpose is to force consumers to take decisions that they would not normally take.

False Urgency means creating an atmosphere of false urgency, such as showing that "only a few minutes are left", so that you make a purchase without thinking.

Basket Sneaking involves adding another product or extra charge to your cart without telling you.

Confirm Shaming is when you refuse an offer or service and you are shown an embarrassing message, such as "Are you sure you want to leave this great deal?"

Subscription Trap is a method in which you are subscribed to a service without giving clear information and then it is difficult to cancel it.

Interface Interference means such a design due to which you accidentally click on something which you did not want.

In Bait and Switch, you are brought to the site by luring you with a good offer, but in reality it is not available.

Drip Pricing is a very common trick, in which a low price is shown initially, but many hidden charges are added at the time of payment.

Disguised Advertisements are those advertisements which look like normal information or content, so that you cannot understand that it is an ad.

Nagging means repeatedly sending notifications or popups for something, so that you agree under compulsion.

In Trick Wording, such words are used which confuse the consumer, like "not now" turns out to be "yes".

SaaS Billing is a software service trick in which you are charged repeatedly even if you are not using it.

Rogue Malwares are software that can enter your device without your knowledge and extract data or activate unwanted services.

All these patterns have been identified by the government in the interest of consumers so that an environment of transparency and trust is maintained on the digital platform.