Government sent notice on use of dark pattern technology on 11 companies including Zepto, Uber, OLA

Government sent notice on use of dark pattern technology on 11 companies including Zepto, Uber, OLA Tezzbuzz | 31/05/2025 16:24:12

New Delhi: The central government has taken a big step on tricked techniques with consumers. Notices have been issued to 11 renowned companies like Zepto, Uber, Ola, Rapido for adopting “dark patterns”. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has warned these companies that if these misleading design techniques are not stopped immediately, legal action will be taken.

What is ‘dark pattern’?

Dark patterns are actually designs or interface tricks that deliberately mislead users, forcing them to make decisions that they do not take in normal circumstances.
Examples of this are:

Adding the product to the cart
Submission
Hidden charge
Impressing the decision by showing false alerts like “Just 1 unit left”

Companies will have to investigate the platform

The government has so far identified 13 major dark patterns and banned them. Union Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi has clarified that, “All companies have to audit their platforms to ensure that they or their sellers do not use tricks confusing consumers.” Audit report companies will have to present before the government, so that transparency remains.

Despite the warning, it will not be accepted, then action will be taken

If companies do not stop these misleading techniques, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) can take strong action against them. This includes heavy fines, and ban on the company’s operation in serious cases.

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Government will form joint work group

To monitor the entire matter, the government is setting up a Joint Task Force, which will include government officials, representatives of companies and consumer organizations.
Its purpose will be –

Identification and prevention of dark patterns
Protect consumer rights
And promoting ethical design practice.

Note

In the digital age, when every decision depends on one click, strict action is necessary on misleading techniques to consumers. This step of the government is an important initiative towards safety of consumer interests.