The Indian government has taken a firm stance against the growing misuse of manipulative design tricks—often called dark patterns—by online shopping platforms. In a press release dated June 7, 2025, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued a clear warning to all e-commerce companies, urging them to clean up their act and stop using shady methods to mislead shoppers.
These tactics, commonly hidden in the fine print or clever design elements, are meant to push users into making choices they wouldn’t normally make—like buying costlier items, unknowingly signing up for subscriptions, or clicking on options they didn’t intend to. These aren’t just annoying—they often lead to money being spent unnecessarily and personal data being misused.
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The CCPA has now officially advised all digital shopping platforms to identify and remove such practices from their websites and apps. The message: stop tricking users and make sure every step in the buying journey is transparent and fair.
While this crackdown isn’t a new law, it sets the tone for stronger enforcement going forward. The move also comes as a response to growing consumer complaints around sneaky pricing, misleading labels, and confusing checkout flows.
The advisory also outlines 13 specific types of dark patterns the watchdog has flagged. These include forced action (making users sign up before viewing content), hidden costs at checkout, disguised ads, countdown timers that aren’t real, and more.
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As online shopping becomes a daily habit for millions in India, the government wants to ensure that convenience doesn’t come at the cost of consumer rights. The message to e-commerce platforms is loud and clear—be honest, or be held accountable.
