To safeguard consumer interests in the digital space, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued an advisory instructing all e-commerce platforms to conduct a self-audit within three months. The directive, issued on Saturday, urges online marketplaces to detect and eliminate deceptive design practices, commonly referred to as dark patterns.

Dark patterns are manipulative interface designs on websites or mobile applications that mislead users into actions they might not intend, such as making unintended purchases or sharing data involuntarily. According to the CCPA, such tactics undermine consumer trust, distort fair trade practices, and pose a growing threat to the integrity of digital commerce.

“All e-commerce platforms have been advised to conduct self-audits to identify dark patterns, within three months of the issue of the advisory, and take necessary steps to ensure that their platforms are free from such dark patterns,” the CCPA stated.

Self-Declaration To Promote Digital Fairness

The regulatory authority has also encouraged platforms to submit self-declarations affirming that they do not engage in any dark patterns. These declarations, it said, are intended to foster a fair and transparent digital ecosystem, reinforcing consumer confidence in e-commerce platforms.

In line with this initiative, the CCPA has begun issuing notices to companies, highlighting specific instances of dark patterns that breach the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, notified in 2023.

Joint Working Group Formed To Monitor And Educate

To further strengthen monitoring efforts, a Joint Working Group (JWG) has been formed by the Department of Consumer Affairs. This group includes representatives from relevant ministries, regulators, national law universities (NLUs), and consumer rights organisations. Their mandate includes identifying violations, sharing updates with the Department, and raising public awareness on how to spot and avoid deceptive digital tactics.

The guidelines list 13 types of dark patterns, including false urgency, basket sneaking, subscription traps, bait and switch, trick wording, and drip pricing, among others. These practices are now under regulatory scrutiny, with the government reaffirming its commitment to protecting consumers in an increasingly digital-first economy.

This advisory marks another step in the Centre’s broader effort to promote ethical digital business practices and ensure that online services operate within the bounds of fairness and transparency.