Shining Light on Digital Commerce: 26 platforms declare freedom from dark patterns

Consumer protection milestone  
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) confirmed that these platforms have completed audits to certify their interfaces are free from deceptive practices. The declaration follows the Ministry of Consumer Affairs’ advisory earlier this year, mandating platforms to identify and remove dark patterns within three months. The guidelines, issued under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, prohibit 13 specific manipulative practices, ranging from disguised ads to trick wording. This collective compliance marks a significant step toward building trust in India’s fast‑growing digital marketplace.  

Notable updates  

• Flipkart, Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, BigBasket, Ajio, JioMart among 26 platforms declaring compliance  
• Dark patterns banned include false urgency, basket sneaking, subscription traps, drip pricing, and disguised ads  
• Platforms conducted internal or third‑party audits to certify compliance  
• CCPA welcomed the move, urging others to follow suit  
• Guidelines issued under Consumer Protection Act, 2019, identify 13 prohibited practices  

Major takeaway  
India’s e‑commerce sector is taking a decisive step toward transparency, ensuring consumers can shop online without manipulative design tactics influencing their decisions.  

Sources: Indian Express, Economic Times, NDTV Profit, Tribune India, Swarajya