Dark Patterns | 26 Dec 2025

Source: ET 

Why in News?

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is proactively addressing complaints regarding innovative dark patterns on e-commerce and digital platforms. 

What are Dark Patterns? 

• Deceptive user‑interface designs that manipulate users into making decisions they might not otherwise make (e.g., hidden charges revealed late, tricky opt‑outs).  
• Reflects emerging challenges in consumer protection in the digital economy and the need for regulatory safeguards against unfair practices. 
• Common types of Dark Patterns 
  • False Urgency: Creating artificial time pressure like “Only 2 left!” or “Offer ends in 5 minutes” to force quick decisions. 
  • Basket Sneaking:Adding extra items or charges to the cart without clear user consent (e.g., insurance, convenience fee). 
  • Confirm Shaming: Guilt-tripping users into choices using language like “No, I don’t care about saving money”. 
  • Forced Action: Making users perform unwanted actions (sign-ups, app downloads) to continue using a service. 
  • Subscription Trap: Easy to subscribe but difficult to cancel; cancellation options are hidden or overly complex. 
  • Drip Pricing: Revealing additional costs only at the final stage of checkout.  
  • Bait and Switch: Advertising one option but delivering another after the user clicks. 
  • Nagging: Repeated pop-ups or prompts pressuring users to make a specific choice. 
  • Disguised Advertisements: Ads designed to look like genuine content or system notifications. 

What is the Regulatory Framework for Dark Patterns in India 

• Consumer Protection Act, 2019 
  • The primary law governing consumer rights in India, which replaced the 1986 Act to address modern consumer issues including e‑commerce disputes. 
  • Provides a legal basis for tackling unfair trade practices such as dark patterns and mandates time‑bound disposal of complaints. 
  • Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) 
  • A statutory body under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 empowered to investigate, enforce, and penalize unfair trade practices. 
    • Key regulatory authority in curbing deceptive practices like dark patterns and enforcing consumer rights. 
    • In November 2023, the CCPA issued the “Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023”.  
• e‑Jagriti Platform 
  • A digital grievance redressal system launched in January 2025 allowing consumers to file complaints online, participate in virtual hearings, and track cases in real time. 
  • Represents the government’s push for digital justice and accessibility in consumer dispute resolution. 

What are the Ethical and Economical Implications of Dark Patterns? 

• Ethical Implications: 
  • Violation of consumer autonomy: Dark patterns manipulate user choices, undermining informed and free consent. 
  • Deception and lack of transparency: They rely on misleading design rather than honest information, breaching ethical business conduct. 
  • Erosion of trust: Repeated exposure reduces public trust in digital platforms and institutions. 
  • Exploitation of vulnerable users: Elderly, children, and first-time internet users are disproportionately affected. 
• Economic Implications: 
  • Market distortion: Manipulative practices weaken fair competition by rewarding deceptive firms over ethical ones. 
  • Hidden financial costs to consumers: Users may incur unwanted subscriptions, fees, or purchases, reducing consumer welfare. 
  • Long-term business risk: Regulatory penalties and reputational damage increase compliance and legal costs for firms. 
  • Reduced efficiency of digital markets: When trust declines, user participation and digital adoption may slow down. 

Way Forward 

• Shift from 'Caveat Emptor' to 'Caveat Venditor' : The traditional "Buyer Beware" philosophy is insufficient in the digital age due to information asymmetry. India must move toward "Seller Beware," where the burden of proof lies with the platform to demonstrate that their UI design is transparent and non-manipulative. 
• Implementation of 'Ethics by Design': Regulatory bodies like the CCPA should collaborate with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to mandate "Ethical UI/UX" frameworks.  
  • Companies should be encouraged to undergo Digital Ethics Audits to ensure their algorithms do not exploit behavioral psychology. 
• Strengthening Algorithmic Accountability: As dark patterns are increasingly automated via AI, the Digital India Bill should include provisions for algorithmic transparency.  
  • Regulators need the technical tools to inspect how "nudges" are personalized to exploit specific user vulnerabilities (e.g., targeting low-income groups with "Drip Pricing"). 
• Global Regulatory Convergence: India should align its domestic guidelines with international standards like the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and the UK’s Online Safety Act.  
  • A "Global Code of Conduct" for e-commerce would prevent "Regulatory Arbitrage," where companies follow ethical standards in the West but use deceptive patterns in emerging markets like India. 
• Empowering the "Digital Nagarik": While the e-Jagriti platform is a step toward "Digital Justice," it must be complemented by large-scale digital literacy campaigns.  
  • Consumers should be trained to identify "Confirm Shaming" or "Subscription Traps," turning them from passive users into active "Digital Citizens."