Dark Patterns

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Economy

Why in News?

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) said that 26 digital storefronts had declared, that they had eliminated so-called “dark patterns” from their sites.

• Dark Patterns – Dark patterns are tricks used to manipulate users into taking actions they didn't intend to, such as making unintended purchases or signing up for unwanted services.
• It includes adding extra items to a consumer's cart without their knowledge, creating a false sense of urgency by claiming limited stock availability, etc.
• 1^st coined by – The term dark patterns was coined by Harry Brignull in 2010.
• Highly violated sectors – Mainly includes fashion, personal care, ecommerce, food and beverages, and finance.
• Legal provisions - Regulated Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 as ‘unfair trade practices.
• Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020 – Define responsibilities of e-commerce entities, liability of marketplaces, and grievance redressal mechanisms.
• Guidelines on Misleading Advertisements (2022) – Ensure ads are non-misleading, regulate bait/free claim ads, and assign duties to advertisers.
• BIS Standards on Online Consumer Reviews (2022) – Voluntary framework to prevent fake/deceptive reviews, emphasizing integrity, accuracy, transparency, and responsiveness.
• 13 patterns – The CCPA listed 13 specified dark patterns identified in e-Commerce sector.

• Impact on Consumers – Directly harm users by causing financial losses, privacy breaches, and buyer's remorse, undermining their digital experience.

To know more about dark patterns click here.

References

1. The Hindu| E-commerce firms compliance with dark pattern guidelines
2. Indian Express | Dark pattern