CCPA says deceptive design tactics erode consumer trust; tighter monitoring and enforcement to continue.
New Delhi: In a significant step toward strengthening digital consumer rights in India, 26 e-commerce companies have submitted voluntary self-declarations confirming that their online platforms are now free from dark patterns — manipulative design techniques that mislead customers or influence decision-making without explicit consent.
These declarations have been made under the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, which aim to curb misleading online interfaces and ensure that businesses operate with greater transparency and accountability.
According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, compliance with the guidelines reflects a proactive shift toward consumer-centric digital business practices. Meanwhile, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) stated that it will continue strict surveillance and enforcement against non-compliant platforms.
Which companies have confirmed compliance?
The companies conducted either internal self-audits or third-party assessments to identify and eliminate potential dark patterns from their platforms. Major names include:
- Flipkart, Myntra, Walmart India
- MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip
- Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit
- BigBasket, Zepto
- Reliance Digital, JioMart, Ajio, Reliance Jewels, Hamleys, Tira Beauty
- Tata 1mg, Netmeds, PharmEasy
- Page Industries, William Penn, Duroflex
- Ixigo, Curaden India, MilBasket, Meesho, among others
The declarations have been published on CCPA’s official portal to help consumers identify platforms that follow ethical standards.
Understanding Dark Patterns
The guidelines define 13 types of dark patterns, including:
- False urgency – creating fake time pressure
- Drip pricing – revealing hidden charges only at checkout
- Confirm-shaming – using guilt-laden wording to force consent
- Subscription traps
- Basket sneaking
- Interface interference
- Nagging
- Disguised advertisements, etc.
The ultimate goal is to ensure informed consumer choice and full consent for every transaction.
Government Issues Strong Advisory
On June 5, 2025, CCPA issued an advisory making self-evaluation mandatory for all online platforms within three months. The authority emphasized:
“Deceptive design may bring short-term profit, but it harms both consumers and businesses in the long run.”
The government has urged the remaining platforms — across retail, travel, food delivery, entertainment and other digital services — to expedite compliance.
Conclusion
The initiative marks a major push for transparency and fairness in India’s rapidly expanding digital marketplace. However, experts note that consistent enforcement and on-ground monitoring will determine how effectively the guidelines are implemented across the industry.
With rising online consumer activity, regulators insist that digital platforms must prioritize trust and ensure that ease of access does not come at the cost of user rights.
