The Central Government has taken a strong stand against the use of deceptive design tactics by e-commerce platforms. Commonly called dark patterns, these practices manipulate consumers into making unintended purchases or falling into subscription traps. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare has warned that such practices will be treated as unfair trade and attract strict action.
Dark patterns are design tactics used to mislead consumers on digital platforms. These include false urgency alerts, hiding negative reviews, bait-and-switch pricing, and subscription traps. According to Nidhi Khare, “AI can be used mischievously to create propaganda and misinformation. E-commerce entities are using all kinds of dark patterns like not highlighting the bad reviews.”
The Department of Consumer Affairs has made it clear that the use of dark patterns will be considered an unfair trade practice. “In case someone is found to be using dark patterns, it will be treated as an unfair trade practice, and the law will take its own course,” said Khare. Companies violating these rules may face penalties, legal action, and even raids.
In November 2023, the Department issued guidelines identifying 13 specific dark patterns. Since then, 11 notices have been sent to companies, including Zepto, Uber, and Ola. The guidelines advise e-commerce platforms to conduct self-audits and voluntarily sign a safety pledge to prevent misuse of consumer trust.
Khare pointed out that fake or manipulated reviews have a direct impact on consumer decisions. “Earlier, even if the consumer is giving a bad review for any product, the entity would not publish it or would publish it towards the end of it. And consumers can't go through the entire chain of all the reviews, and then most of us are basically relying on what the entity wants the consumers to show,” she said.
E-commerce entities have been urged to use technology to ensure that prohibited or harmful products are not sold on their platforms. Raids in warehouses have already revealed products that did not meet required standards. Companies are expected to take accountability for what is sold on their platforms.
Read More: Government Gives E-Commerce Firms 3 Months to Eliminate Dark Patterns!
Apart from tackling dark patterns, the Department is also focusing on reforms in legal metrology. The aim is to reduce compliance burden by decriminalising certain offences while ensuring quality and quantity standards. The department is also working to ensure that GST cut benefits are passed on to consumers.
The Central Government’s action on dark patterns sends a clear message that consumer protection cannot be compromised. By tightening guidelines and stepping up enforcement, authorities aim to bring more transparency and fairness in e-commerce.
Strict measures against dark patterns mark a step towards safeguarding consumer trust. This crackdown ensures that e-commerce platforms remain accountable and responsible.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities or companies mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
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Published on: Sep 17, 2025, 1:14 PM IST
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