Zepto, SpiceJet and more: Full list of 9 platforms penalised for deploying 'dark patterns' to manipulate consumers
Under the Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, authorities have identified and regulated 13 categories of deceptive online practices.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed penalties on nine digital platforms for utilizing "dark patterns" in their interfaces, designed to manipulate consumer decisions during online transactions. These nine platforms span various sectors, including aviation, e-commerce, quick commerce, education technology, and cybersecurity.
The Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, outlines 13 categories of deceptive online practices that have been identified and regulated by authorities. These practices encompass false urgency, basket sneaking, subscription traps, drip pricing, confirm shaming, and trick questions. The government informed the Rajya Sabha that around ₹20 lakh in penalties have been collected from companies found to be violating the guidelines.
The CCPA's actions included directing Zepto to discontinue the use of dark patterns, such as displaying lower prices initially but later adding handling charges and membership fees. Another platform found guilty was Physics Wallah, which was penalized for deploying a misleading countdown timer and manipulative subscription renewal prompts.
The regulator also directed a ticketing platform to remove a pre-ticked ₹1 contribution to its charitable initiative, BookASmile, which was classified as basket sneaking. Following the CCPA's intervention, Zepto, Physics Wallah, and other penalized platforms have modified their interfaces to comply with the regulations.
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