Dark Patterns
About
- Dark patterns refer to deceptive strategies used by online platforms to manipulate users.
- These tactics include adding extra items to a consumer’s cart without their knowledge, creating a false sense of urgency by claiming limited stock availability or pressuring consumers into purchasing memberships.
- Such practices fall under the category of “unfair trade practices” as defined under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
- The Department of Consumer Affairs had notified the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns in 2023 for prevention and regulation of dark patterns listing 13 specified dark patterns such as false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, subscription trap, etc.