The Centre is purportedly gearing up to launch a mobile app that will notify users whenever online platforms attempt to deceive them through manipulative tactics known as dark patterns.
According to ET, the introduction of this app is included in the government’s agenda for the first 100 days following the establishment of the next government.
Users can easily download the app, which will detect any dark patterns utilized by leading ecommerce companies and promptly notify the user. Upon receiving the alert, users can proceed to lodge complaints with consumer forums.
In a previous order, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) defined ‘dark patterns’ as deceptive design practices or patterns within user interfaces or experiences across platforms. These are crafted to deceive or manipulate users into actions they did not originally intend or desire, thereby undermining consumer autonomy, decision-making, or choice. Such practices amount to misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices, or violations of consumer rights.
Continue Exploring: Govt cracks down on ‘dark patterns’ in e-commerce, labels it as unfair trading
Last year, the government issued a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at regulating dark patterns to counter the deceptive practices of ecommerce companies. These guidelines apply to all platforms providing goods or services in India, encompassing advertisers and sellers as well.
The CCPA outlined numerous deceptive techniques, commonly known as “dark patterns,” which online platforms might employ to manipulate consumers. These include tactics such as false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced action, subscription traps, interface interference, disguised advertisements, nagging, trick questions, SaaS billing, and rogue malware.
In the meantime, the government is considering mandatory compliance for ecommerce platforms with quality consumer review standards as a measure to combat the issue of fake reviews.
Continue Exploring: Govt to make quality consumer review norms mandatory for e-commerce platforms to combat fake reviews
During a meeting held on Wednesday (May 15), representatives from prominent ecommerce entities and tech leaders such as Flipkart, Amazon, Google, and Meta voiced support for a proposal advocating the mandatory adherence to standards concerning “online consumer reviews,” as outlined in the 2022 release.
Continue Exploring: Ecommerce industry backs govt’s mandatory quality norms for consumer reviews
Ecommerce platforms frequently face regulatory scrutiny. Earlier this year, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) allegedly instructed quick commerce platforms to validate their claims of ’10-minute’ delivery. Furthermore, Amazon, Flipkart, and Snapdeal were served notices by the consumer protection body regarding the sale of inferior quality toys.