Govt finds no dark patterns in 26 e-commerce players

DARK PATTERNS INVOLVE USING DESIGN AND CHOICE ARCHITECTURE TO DECEIVE, COERCE, OR INFLUENCE CONSUMERS INTO MAKING CHOICES THAT ARE NOT IN THEIR BEST INTEREST. THEY ENCOMPASS A WIDE RANGE OF MANIPULATIVE PRACTICES, SUCH AS DRIP PRICING, DISGUISED ADVERTISING, BAIT-AND-SWITCH, AND FALSE URGENCY

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

As many as 26 top e-commerce companies, including Zepto, BigBasket and Zomato, have given an undertaking that their platforms are free from misleading claims and unfair trade practices which constitute ‘dark patterns’, the government said Thursday.

The Centre, which is keeping a close watch on e-commerce platforms for any potential violation of dark patterns, said it would take action against such practices to protect consumer interests. In a statement Thursday, the Department of Consumer Affairs informed that as many as 26 leading e-commerce platforms have "voluntarily submitted self-declaration letters" confirming compliance with the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023.

Zepto, Zomato, Swiggy, Jiomart and BigBasket are among these 26 e-commerce platforms.