The Central Consumer Protection Authority has imposed penalties on several digital platforms for using deceptive online practices known as dark patterns, reinforcing stricter enforcement of consumer protection rules in India’s digital marketplace.
CCPA Takes Action Against Deceptive Online Practices
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has penalised multiple digital platforms for adopting “dark patterns”—online design techniques that influence users into making decisions they may not have otherwise taken.
The action has been taken under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, as part of the government’s efforts to promote fair and transparent digital commerce.
What Are Dark Patterns?
Dark patterns are user interface designs that manipulate consumer behaviour by creating confusion, false urgency or making it difficult to refuse certain options.
The CCPA’s 2023 Guidelines identify thirteen such practices, including false urgency, basket sneaking, drip pricing, subscription traps, confirm shaming, pre-ticked consent boxes, disguised advertisements, interface interference and trick questions.
According to the government, these practices undermine informed consumer choice and may amount to unfair trade practices.
Several Platforms Penalised
The regulator imposed penalties on several companies for different violations.
Zepto received the highest penalty of ₹7 lakh for alleged drip pricing and basket sneaking practices.
Physics Wallah was fined ₹5 lakh for pre-selected donation options and requiring users to disclose personal information before accessing courses advertised as free.
FirstCry was penalised ₹2 lakh for adding taxes at the final payment stage despite displaying prices as tax-inclusive.
Anuj Jindal Coaching Platform was fined ₹3 lakh for using artificial countdown timers, while PharmaEasy and SpiceJet were also penalised for practices involving automatic membership additions and pre-ticked consent options.
Platforms Directed to Modify Interfaces
Apart from monetary penalties, the CCPA also directed companies to modify misleading interface designs.
Following regulatory intervention, BookMyShow discontinued its pre-selected donation option that automatically added a contribution during ticket bookings unless users opted out.
Similarly, IndiGo revised language used during ticket booking by replacing prompts considered capable of influencing consumer decisions with more neutral alternatives.
Government Signals Stronger Digital Consumer Protection
The government informed Parliament that the regulator has recovered nearly ₹20 lakh in penalties through its enforcement against dark patterns.
The action reflects a broader regulatory approach aimed at ensuring that digital platforms obtain genuine user consent, display transparent pricing and avoid interface designs that pressure or mislead consumers.
The Centre indicated that enforcement against deceptive digital practices will continue as online commerce expands across the country.
Key Takeaways
- CCPA has penalised multiple digital platforms for using dark patterns.
- Zepto received the highest penalty of ₹7 lakh.
- Physics Wallah, FirstCry, PharmaEasy and SpiceJet were also fined.
- BookMyShow and IndiGo modified their interfaces following regulatory intervention.
- Government says dark pattern enforcement will continue under consumer protection laws.
- The action aims to ensure transparent pricing and informed consumer choice.
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Authority: Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
Law: Consumer Protection Act, 2019
ccpa-dark-patterns-platforms-fined
CCPA penalises digital platforms for deceptive dark patterns and reinforces consumer protection in online marketplaces.
