Will the Centre Tackle E-commerce Dark Patterns with Stakeholders?
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Synopsis
Discover how the Indian government is tackling deceptive e-commerce practices known as dark patterns. Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, aims to address stakeholder concerns and promote transparency in the digital marketplace. This initiative could reshape consumer rights in India!
Key Takeaways
- Consumer Rights Protection: The government is prioritizing consumer rights by addressing deceptive practices in e-commerce.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaboration with major e-commerce platforms and organizations is key to developing effective solutions.
- Guidelines Issued: Comprehensive guidelines on dark patterns have been established to enhance market transparency.
- Innovation Initiatives: The ‘Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon’ encourages technological solutions to combat dark patterns.
- National Impact: These efforts aim to reshape the e-commerce landscape in India for better consumer experiences.
New Delhi, May 26 (NationPress) In a bid to safeguard consumer rights and establish a transparent and reliable marketplace, the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, is set to address pressing consumer issues related to dark patterns at a high-level stakeholder meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
This gathering in the national capital aims to explore more effective strategies to confront these challenges. Major e-commerce platforms spanning sectors such as food, travel, cosmetics, pharmacy, retail, clothing, and electronics will participate, as stated by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
Participants include key stakeholders like Amazon, Flipkart, 1mg.com, Apple, BigBasket, Meesho, Meta, MakeMyTrip, Paytm, Ola, Reliance Retail Limited, Swiggy, Zomato, Yatra, Uber, Tata, EaseMyTrip, Clear Trip, IndiaMart, IndiGo Airlines, xigo, JUSTDIAL, Medika Bazaar, Netmeds, ONDC, Thomas Cook, and WhatsApp.
Additionally, key industry organisations along with Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs) and prominent National Law Universities (NLUs) will also be actively involved in this meeting.
The ministry stated, "Their insights, research, and regulatory perspectives will be instrumental in shaping robust and enforceable solutions."
Dark patterns refer to misleading user interface designs that trick or manipulate consumers into making unintended decisions. These practices undermine consumer trust, skew fair market dynamics, and pose a serious risk to the integrity of digital commerce.
The Department of Consumer Affairs has initiated several critical measures to combat dark patterns.
Following extensive consultations with stakeholders, the department released comprehensive guidelines on November 30, 2023, identifying 13 prevalent dark patterns in e-commerce, including False Urgency, Basket Sneaking, Confirm Shaming, Forced Action, Subscription Trap, Interface Interference, Bait and Switch, Drip Pricing, Disguised Advertisement, Nagging, Trick Question, SaaS Billing, and Rogue Malwares.
Among the department's innovative initiatives is the ‘Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023’, launched on October 26, 2023, in collaboration with IIT (BHU).
This nationwide innovation challenge invited students and individuals from IITs, NITs, and other universities to create technological solutions—such as apps, browser extensions, and AI tools—to detect and combat dark patterns.
Building on the outcomes of the hackathon, the department has since developed three powerful consumer protection apps in collaboration with IIT (BHU), which were unveiled on National Consumers Day 2024.
Point of View
It's imperative to acknowledge the efforts being made to protect consumer rights in the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape. The government's proactive stance on addressing dark patterns demonstrates a commitment to creating a fair digital marketplace. Stakeholder engagement is essential for fostering trust and ensuring that consumer protections keep pace with technological advancements.
NationPress
07/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are dark patterns in e-commerce?
Dark patterns refer to deceptive user interface designs that mislead consumers into making choices they did not intend to. These practices can erode consumer trust and distort fair market dynamics.
What steps is the government taking to combat dark patterns?
The government has issued comprehensive guidelines outlining various dark patterns and has initiated programs such as the ‘Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon’ to develop technological solutions to detect and prevent these practices.
Who will participate in the stakeholder meeting?
Major e-commerce platforms, industry organisations, Voluntary Consumer Organizations, and National Law Universities will participate in the meeting to address consumer concerns regarding dark patterns.
