Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Consumer Affairs
“Various ways to refrain from using such deceptive designs or improving user interface were suggested such as relying upon consumer feedback, consumer satisfaction, repeat user rate, using in-built app/features to identify patterns that are in non-conformity with the guidelines and self-auditing of such specified dark patterns by the e-commerce platforms,” cautioned Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare
New Delhi:
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare on Tuesday warned e-commerce companies against deploying deceptive user interface designs known as “dark patterns”, stating that the practice violates consumer rights and amounts to unfair trade.
Addressing a stakeholders session, Khare highlighted various ways for online platforms to refrain from using such designs that mislead consumers into making unintended purchases or subscriptions, an official statement said.
She suggested improvements like relying on consumer feedback, monitoring user satisfaction and repeat customers, using app features to identify non-compliant patterns, and self-auditing specified dark patterns, according to an official statement.
“Various ways to refrain from using such deceptive designs or improving user interface were suggested such as relying upon consumer feedback, consumer satisfaction, repeat user rate, using in-built app/features to identify patterns that are in non-conformity with the guidelines and self-auditing of such specified dark patterns by the e-commerce platforms,” she cautioned.
The Department had notified Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns 2023 in November 2023. The Guideline specify 13 dark patterns namely; False urgency, Basket Sneaking, Confirm shaming, forced action, Subscription trap, Interface Interference, Bait and switch, Drip Pricing, Disguised Advertisements and Nagging, Trick Wording, Saas Billing and Rogue Malwares.