EXCLUSIVE
Only 4 e-commerce companies submit self-declaration after audit of dark patterns
This story was originally published at 15:38 IST on 17 September 2025
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By Shakshi Jain
NEW DELHI – Only four e-commerce companies have so far submitted self-declarations to the government after auditing dark patterns on their platforms, a senior official from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution told Informist Wednesday. "We must be having about at least 39 such e-commerce companies," the official said, adding that several companies have completed their audits, including through third parties, and are expected to turn in their declarations soon.
On Jun. 5, the Central Consumer Protection Authority had issued an advisory to e-commerce platforms, urging them to conduct self-audits within three months to identify and eliminate dark patterns. Based on the self-audit reports, the companies were encouraged to give self-declarations that their platform is not indulging in any dark patterns.
Dark patterns are tactics that involve the use of design and architecture to deceive, coerce, or otherwise influence consumers into executing unintended purchases or subscriptions. The Department of Consumer Affairs had, in its 2023 guidelines, identified 13 specific dark patterns on e-commerce platforms. They included false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced action, subscription trap, bait and switch, and drip pricing.
Since the 2023 guidelines, the government has reportedly sent notices to at least 11 companies for dark pattern violations. End
Edited by Rajeev Pai
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