Executive Summary:
The Indian government addressed concerns about dark patterns in e-commerce through guidelines and advisories. In November 2023, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued guidelines listing 13 prohibited dark patterns. Following discussions with e-commerce platforms, an advisory was issued in June 2025, mandating self-audits for dark patterns within three months, followed by self-declarations of compliance.
Key Points / Main Content:
Guidelines and Regulations:
* The CCPA issued Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns on November 30, 2023, identifying 13 dark patterns in e-commerce, including false urgency, basket sneaking, and subscription traps.
Advisory on Self-Audits:
* An advisory was issued on June 5, 2025, mandating e-commerce platforms to conduct self-audits to detect and eliminate dark patterns.
* Platforms must complete self-audits within three months of the advisory's issue date.
* Following the audits, platforms must provide self-declarations confirming their compliance and the absence of dark patterns.
Joint Working Group:
* A Joint Working Group was formed on June 5, 2025, comprising representatives from Ministries, National Law Universities, and Voluntary Consumer Organizations.
* The group aims to identify dark patterns and promote a transparent and ethical online environment.
Impact Analysis:
E-Commerce Platforms:
* Impact: Required to eliminate dark patterns and ensure fair trade practices.
* Action Required: Conduct self-audits within three months of the advisory, take corrective actions, and submit self-declarations.
Consumers:
* Impact: Greater protection from deceptive online practices and a fairer digital environment.
* Action Required: Be vigilant about dark patterns and report any instances to consumer protection authorities.
Government (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution):
* Impact: Responsible for enforcing regulations and ensuring compliance.
* Action Required: Oversee the self-audit process, review self-declarations, and take action against non-compliant platforms.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Consumer Protection Authority: A regulatory authority in India responsible for protecting consumer rights.
Consumer Protection Act, 2019: An act of the Parliament of India to protect the interests of consumers in India.
Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023: Guidelines issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority to prevent and regulate dark patterns in the eCommerce sector.
Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India: A department within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution responsible for consumer affairs.
Shri B.L.Verma: Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
New and Renewable Energy: A portfolio held by the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food Public Distribution
Joint Working Group: A group comprising representatives from Ministries, National Law Universities and Voluntary Consumer Organizations constituted for identifying dark patterns.
ECommerce Platforms: Online platforms facilitating buying and selling of goods or services.
ORIGINAL IN HINDI
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 472
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
DARK PATTERN IN MOBILE/WEB APPLICATIONS
472. SHRI BRIJMOHAN AGRAWAL:
(OIH)
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a) the detailed list of all the complaints received regarding use of dark patterns in mobile or web
applications by the digital platforms like e-commerce, etc.; and
(b) the details of the action taken by the Government against the said complaints?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) & (b) : Central Consumer Protection Authority, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 18 of the
Consumer Protection Act, 2019, issued “Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023”
on 30th November, 2023 for prevention and regulation of dark patterns listing 13 specified dark patterns
identified in e-Commerce sector. These dark patterns include false urgency, Basket Sneaking, Confirm
shaming, forced action, Subscription trap, Interface Interference, Bait and switch, Drip Pricing, Disguised
Advertisements, Nagging, Trick Wording, Saas Billing and Rogue Malwares.
In furtherance, to safeguard consumer rights and promote fair trade practices, Department of
Consumer Affairs, Government of India convened a meeting on 28th May 2025 under the chairmanship of
Hon’ble Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy with
representatives from major e-commerce companies, industry associations, Voluntary Consumer
Organizations and National Law Universities for a focused dialogue on eliminating deceptive online
practices.
As an outcome of the said meeting, an “Advisory in terms of Consumer Protection Act,2019 on Self-
Audit by E-Commerce Platforms for detecting the Dark Patterns on their platforms to create a fair, ethical
and consumer centric digital ecosystem” was issued by Central Consumer Protection Authority on 5th
June,2025.All E-Commerce platforms have been advised through the said Advisory to take necessary steps to
ensure that their platforms do not engage in such deceptive and unfair trade practice which are in the nature
of Dark Patterns. Further, 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. Based on the self-audit reports, the E-Commerce platforms
should also give self-declarations that their platform is not indulging in any dark patterns in order to ensure
fair digital ecosystem along with building trust between consumers and e-commerce platforms.
A Joint Working Group, comprising representatives from Ministries, National Law Universities and
Voluntary Consumer Organizations, has been constituted vide Office Memorandum dated 5th June,2025 for
identifying the dark patterns and stakeholders to work together in creating a transparent, ethical and user-
centric online environment .
*****