Government launches new app to counter dark patterns of e-commerce companies

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs plans to release three new apps to strengthen consumer protection against deceptive online practices known as “dark patterns.”

The apps, Jago Grahak Jago App, Jagriti App, and Jagriti Dashboard, are scheduled to be released on December 24, the same day as National Consumer Day, according to an official statement released on Sunday.

Dark patterns refer to manipulative design strategies that trick consumers into making choices they would not normally make, such as hidden fees or misleading subscription traps. In 2023, the Central Consumer Protection Bureau will issue false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, coercion, subscription traps, interface interference, bait and switch tactics, drip pricing, deceptive advertising, deceptive language, transparency and consumption. SaaS billing and fraudulent malware that compromises the rights of users.

Previously, the CCPA had taken action against major companies such as IndiGo airline and BookMyShow for employing such tactics.

For example, BookMyShow has been criticized for automatically adding donations without consumer consent, a practice that falls under the category of “basket sneaking.” Following CCPA intervention, platforms now offer consumers the option to opt-in to such contributions.

Similarly, IndiGo faced intense scrutiny for using “verification fraud” tactics that forced users to confirm their purchases within the app.

After CCPA intervention, IndiGo amended its language to read: “No, I won’t add it to your trip.”will be more neutral and provide more clarity for consumers.

The expressions used previously are:No, I’ll take the risk.”which corresponds to the dark pattern “Confirm to Embarrass.”