E-commerce Platforms Commit to Eliminating Dark Patterns

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs announced on Thursday that 26 e-commerce platforms have submitted self-declarations confirming that their user interfaces are devoid of dark patterns. These submissions align with the government’s guidelines aimed at preventing and regulating manipulative design tactics that mislead users during shopping or subscription activities.

Compliance from Major Companies

According to the ministry, well-known companies such as Flipkart, Amazon, Zepto, Myntra, MakeMyTrip, BigBasket, Swiggy, Zomato, and Meesho have either completed internal or third-party audits and have declared their adherence to these standards. The Central Consumer Protection Authority noted that these declarations exemplify a growing commitment among leading digital platforms to implement user-friendly and transparent interfaces.

Regulatory Expectations

The regulator has urged other platforms to also publish similar declarations on their websites while conducting regular audits to ensure compliance. This announcement comes at a time of heightened scrutiny concerning deceptive design practices employed by e-commerce platforms.

Investigations into E-commerce Practices

Last month, the Department of Consumer Affairs initiated an inquiry into Flipkart and Amazon following the discovery of issues like unjustifiable charges for cash on delivery and hidden fees during the checkout process. The ministry emphasised that such unexpected cost additions and confusing pricing formats can significantly impact consumer choices and fall under the categories identified as dark patterns.

Addressing Criticism

Zepto also faced backlash after users reported design choices that encouraged customers to select higher delivery fees and additional charges such as handling fees, rain fees, and surge fees. The company’s co-founder and CEO Aadit Palicha later admitted to the oversight, describing it as a mistake, and confirmed that the problematic feature has been removed.

Moving Towards Transparency

With an increasing number of platforms declaring that they do not employ dark patterns, the government asserts that self-regulation and public disclosure are vital components of its broader transparency framework for e-commerce. Recent regulatory measures suggest that authorities are persistently evaluating design practices that may affect consumer choices.