Flipkart, Zomato, Swiggy declare compliance with anti-dark pattern rules
What's the story
In a major development for consumer protection in India's digital marketplace, 26 leading e-commerce platforms have voluntarily declared their compliance with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns. The companies include Flipkart, Myntra, Zomato, Swiggy, Meesho and BigBasket among others. They have either conducted internal self-audits or hired third-party audits to confirm that their online user interfaces are free from "dark patterns."
Regulatory response
CCPA appreciates compliance declarations, urges others to follow suit
The CCPA has welcomed these declarations as "exemplary" and urged other digital platforms, including e-commerce marketplaces and service apps, to do the same. This move is a major step toward regulating India's digital consumer ecosystem. The guidelines issued on November 30, 2023, under the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, identify and prohibit 13 specific dark patterns such as false urgency, basket sneaking, subscription traps among others.
Understanding dark patterns
Dark patterns and their impact on consumer behavior
Dark patterns are manipulative design features that mislead or steer consumers into decisions not in their best interest. The CCPA has defined these practices as deceptive design patterns using user interface or experience interactions on any platform to mislead users. They can subvert consumer autonomy, decision-making, or choice, amounting to misleading advertisement or unfair trade practice.
Consumer awareness
CCPA encourages consumer education and compliance
The CCPA has urged all other e-commerce platforms, marketplace entities, service providers, and app developers to follow the example set by these companies. It has also been conducting outreach programs through the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), social media campaigns, and informative videos to educate consumers about identifying dark patterns and reporting them. The authority is closely monitoring potential violations and will take action against errant platforms if necessary.