Dark Patterns
Over 25 e-commerce cos submit declaration to govt after dark pattern audit
This story was originally published at 15:23 IST on 29 September 2025
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--Consumer affairs secy: Declaration by over 25 cos post dark pattern audit
NEW DELHI – More than 25 e-commerce companies have submitted declarations to the government after self-auditing dark patterns on their platforms, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said. "They have given this undertaking that they will no longer use any dark patterns on any of their platform," she said on the sidelines of an event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Monday.
These declarations follow the Central Consumer Protection Authority's advisory on Jun. 5, which urged e-commerce companies to conduct self-audits within three months to identify and eliminate dark patterns. Companies were also encouraged to submit self-declarations confirming compliance.
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. "We must be having about at least 39 such e-commerce companies," a senior government official had told Informist earlier.
Khare refused to name the companies. On Sept. 18, the Flipkart group completed a self-audit on dark patterns across its digital platforms, including Myntra and Cleartrip, and said that the group is compliant with the Central Consumer Protection Authority guidelines. End
Reported by Afra Abubacker
Edited by Ashish Shirke
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