Centre directs e-commerce platforms to audit, eliminate ‘dark patterns’
New Delhi: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued a fresh advisory directing all e-commerce platforms to conduct internal audits and eliminate “dark patterns”—design practices that mislead or manipulate consumers into unintended actions.
According to the advisory issued on Saturday, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has mandated that platforms carry out these audits within three months to identify and remove unfair interface features that compromise consumer autonomy.
“All e-commerce platforms have been advised to conduct self-audits to identify dark patterns, within 3 months of the issue of the advisory, and take necessary steps to ensure that their platforms are free from such dark patterns,” the ministry stated.
Companies have also been encouraged to submit self-declarations affirming that their websites are free of such deceptive design features. These declarations are aimed at enhancing consumer trust in the digital marketplace.
The CCPA disclosed that it has already served notices to certain platforms for violating dark pattern norms, though it did not disclose names.
Dark patterns encompass manipulative techniques like hidden costs at checkout, urgency cues, confirm shaming, misleading ads, and subscription traps—practices deemed exploitative and contrary to fair consumer conduct.
To ensure effective implementation, the Centre has constituted a Joint Working Group comprising officials from key ministries, regulatory bodies, consumer rights organisations, and national law universities. This group will monitor compliance, suggest enforcement measures, and plan awareness initiatives.
The advisory builds on the government’s 2023 guidelines that formally recognised 13 types of dark patterns, including basket sneaking, forced actions, bait-and-switch tactics, and drip pricing.
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6 dead, several injured in stampede at Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar
Haridwar (PTI): Six people died and at least two dozen were injured in a stampede at Haridwar's Mansa Devi temple on Sunday, a police officer said.
Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Singh Dobal told PTI Videos that 35 people had been rushed to a hospital, of whom six died.
The officer said a rumour of an electric current ahead of the spot where the steps to the temple begin sent the devotees panicking, leading to a stampede.
According to officials, the incident took place at around 9.30 am. The State Disaster Response Force and the fire brigade are at the spot, he said.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he was saddened by the incident and asserted that the situation was being monitored.
"Very sad news has been received about a stampede on the way to the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar. SDRF, local police and other rescue teams have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations," Dhami said in a post on Facebook.
"I am constantly in touch with the local administration in this regard, and the situation is being constantly monitored. I pray to Mata Rani for the safety of all the devotees," he added.
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