Modi Government asks e-commerce firms to create a self-regulatory framework to end ‘dark patterns’
July 15, 2025
  • Read Ecopy
  • Circulation
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Organiser
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • International
  • Opinion
  • Op Sindoor
  • More
    • Analysis
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Special Report
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • G20
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Vocal4Local
    • Web Stories
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
MAGAZINE
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • International
  • Opinion
  • Op Sindoor
  • More
    • Analysis
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Special Report
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • G20
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Vocal4Local
    • Web Stories
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
Organiser
  • Home
  • Bharat
  • World
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Culture
  • Defence
  • International Edition
  • RSS in News
  • Magazine
  • Read Ecopy
Home Bharat

Modi Government asks e-commerce firms to create a self-regulatory framework to end ‘dark patterns’

In the next two months, e-commerce companies such as Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy and Zomato will create a self-regulatory framework in collaboration with ASCI and law firms to curb these deceptive practices.

by WEB DESK
Jun 15, 2023, 01:30 pm IST
in Bharat, Business
FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegramEmail

The Union Government has asked e-commerce companies to develop a self-regulatory framework to stop “dark patterns”. On June 13, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), along with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), took serious note of the ‘Dark Patterns’ and hosted an interactive consultation with stakeholders in Mumbai. The Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Rohit Kumar Singh, chaired the session.

This session was attended by a lot of industry stakeholders and top executives from nearly three dozen platforms and industry heads, including Flipkart, Zomato, Amazon, Meta, Google, Ola etc. Retailers Association of India, NASSCOM, ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), and law firm Khaitan & Co also attended this session.

Singh noted that the e-commerce sector contributes largely to dark patterns. In the next two months, e-commerce companies such as Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy and Zomato will create a self-regulatory framework in collaboration with ASCI and law firms to curb these deceptive practices.

According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, Dark patterns encompass a wide range of manipulative practices that infringe on consumer rights. These deceptive practices have prompted DoCA and ASCI to take collaborative action against these actions.

Some of the Dark patterns are:

  • “Urgency: This tactic creates a sense of urgency or scarcity to pressure consumers into making a purchase or taking an action.
  • Basket Sneaking: Websites or apps use dark patterns to add additional products or services to the shopping cart without user consent.
  • Confirm Shaming: It involves guilt as a way to make consumers adhere. It criticizes or attack consumers for not conforming to a particular belief or viewpoint.
  • Forced Action: This involves forcing consumers into taking an action they may not want to take, such as signing up for a service in order to access content.
  • Nagging: It refers to persistent, repetitive and annoyingly constant criticism, complaints, requests for action.
  • Subscription Traps: This tactic makes it easy for consumers to sign up for a service but difficult for them to cancel it, often by hiding the cancellation option or requiring multiple steps.
  • Interface Interference: This tactic involves making it difficult for consumers to take certain actions, such as canceling a subscription or deleting an account.
  • Bait and Switch: This involves advertising one product or service but delivering another, often of lower quality.
  • Hidden Costs: This tactic involves hiding additional costs from consumers until they are already committed to making a purchase.
  • Disguised Ads: Disguised ads are advertisements that are designed to look like other types of content, such as news articles or user-generated content”.
From Left: ASCI CEO and Secretary General Manisha Kapoor, DoCA Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh & DoCA Joint Secretary Anupam Mishra

During the session, “self-regulatory measures were discussed for multiple categories, including but not limited to online shopping, e-ticketing, restaurant and travel to counter dark patterns. These include prohibiting specific kinds of dark patterns, fostering consumer-friendly digital choice architecture and empowering regulators”.

In addressing the issue of such practices, Industry self-regulation plays an important role, “Online platforms can establish ethical design guidelines that discourage the use of dark patterns. Encouraging responsible design practices and conducting independent audits can help identify and rectify dark pattern issues”.

As per the DoCA, another possible solution is to equip users with tools and resources which will allow them to make informed choices online, “This could include browser extensions, apps or plugins that detect and block dark patterns or platforms providing clearer and more accessible settings and privacy options”.

DoCA added that “Users should be encouraged to report instances of dark patterns they encounter and platforms should establish clear channels for users to provide feedback and report manipulative practices. In addition to promoting awareness about dark patterns among consumers, small and medium scale MSME merchants must also be made aware as they account for a huge portion of online sellers”.

Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said, “Protection of Consumers is a paramount concern to DoCA. Deceptive patterns that manipulate consumer choice and impede their right to be well informed constitute unfair practices that are prohibited under the Consumer Protection Act 2019”.

He further said, ‘ DoCA is extremely concerned over the proliferation of dark patterns on eCommerce and other modes. Consumers must not be forced or directed towards unintended consequences without their express consent, and consent by deceit is not express consent. Consumers shall be aware of what they are signing up for and also should be able to get out of the same.’

Singh stated that the Government is collaboratively working with all stakeholders and hopes that “Industry self-regulates itself and address this issue”. The Government will provide “All assistance to ASCI in examining this issue and build a comprehensive framework to protect consumers”.

In the meeting, the Joint Secretary of DoCA, Anupam Mishra, explained Dark Patterns and stated that “the prevalence of dark patterns in the online space poses a significant threat to consumers. They are designed to subvert or impair user autonomy, decision-making or choice. These tactics can lead to unintended purchases, addiction and overuse and privacy violations”.

While discussing the stakeholder consultation, the CEO and Secretary General, ASCI Manisha Kapoor, said online consumer safety is at the top of ASCI’s agenda. She said they have gone through advertising-related dark patterns, discussed them extensively, and released a ‘Dark Patterns – The New Threat to Consumer Protection’.

Kapoor was grateful for this meeting with DoCA, and she is looking forward “To forming a strong set of guidelines and rules that help weed out online deceptive patterns”.

Topics: ONDCDark Patterns – The New Threat to Consumer ProtectionOpen Network for Digital CommerceDark PatternsKhaitan & CoNASSCOMASCIOlaAmazonManisha KapoorZomatoRohit Kumar SinghGoogleAnupam MishraMetaDepartment of Consumer AffairsConsumer Protection Act 2019Advertising Standards Council of IndiaSwiggyFlipkarte- commerceRetailers Association of IndiaDoCA
Share1TweetSendShareSend
✮ Subscribe Organiser YouTube Channel. ✮
✮ Join Organiser's WhatsApp channel for Nationalist views beyond the news. ✮
Previous News

Assam: Nearly 21,000 people from 4 districts affected in first spell of floods; 21 villages under floodwater

Next News

Uniform Civil Code: Law Commission seeks views from public & religious organisations within 30 days

Related News

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale

E‑commerce, market-driven lifestyle weakening human bonds: RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale

Chhattisgarh emerges as investment hub, attracts Rs 1,63,749 crores for 218 projects; Rides on pro-industry policies

‘Sahkar Taxi’ takes on Ola & Uber: Modi government declares war on ride-hailing monopoly

Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai at  investors connect meet in Bangalore on Wednesday, Image courtesy CMO CG

Chhattisgarh: State government signs MoU with NASSCOM, IESA and TIE Bangalore

CCI imposes penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on Meta for anti-competitive practices in relation to 2021 Privacy Policy Update

Government backed ONDC welcomes Zoho’s Vikra App

Government backed ONDC welcomes Zoho’s Vikra App to enhance E-Commerce reach

Load More

Comments

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Organiser. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.

Latest News

Legendary Marathoner Fauja Singh dies at 114 in tragic road accident

“Turbaned Tornado” Fauja Singh, world’s oldest marathoner passes away at 114 in a road accident

Golden temple gets bomb threat email

Bomb Threat Email Targets Golden Temple: Punjab Police steps up security, launches probe

Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India addressing the gathering at the  inauguration ceremony of Shalyacon 2025

AIIA Hosts National Shalya Tantra Conference; Highlights integrative Ayurvedic surgery

International Day of Population: Addressing global issues and demographic shifts

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressing the gathering on the occasion of Bharat Vikas Parishad foundation day

Bharat Vikas Parishad Foundation Day: Amit Shah hails BVP for national service and embodying ideals of Vivekananda

Andhra Pradesh: Senior TDP leader Ashok Gajapathi Raju named Governor of Goa

Viksit Gaon for Viksit Bharat: Modi Govt's Rural Blueprint

Viksit Gaon, Viksit Bharat: Modi govt’s rural blueprint to empower villages by 2047

Church built by Christian Missionaries on an encroached hill in Thiruvannamalai

17 Church-linked institutions continue squatting on temple lands despite court orders to vacate

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, courtesy: getty images

Bihar voter list revision: “ECI is doing a good job,” says Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi 

Democracy: A test for the West

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Cookie Policy
  • Refund and Cancellation
  • Delivery and Shipping

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies

  • Home
  • Search Organiser
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • North America
    • South America
    • Europe
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Defence
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Business
  • RSS in News
  • Entertainment
  • More ..
    • Sci & Tech
    • Vocal4Local
    • Special Report
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Law
    • Economy
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
  • Subscribe Magazine
  • Read Ecopy
  • Advertise
  • Circulation
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Policies & Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Refund and Cancellation
    • Terms of Use

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies