Overview
- The Consumer Affairs Ministry said 26 platforms submitted self-declaration letters, based on internal reviews or third-party audits, asserting they do not use manipulative user-interface designs.
- Companies named include Flipkart, Myntra, Zomato, Swiggy, Meesho, BigBasket, JioMart, Blinkit, Zepto, MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip and Ixigo, spanning retail, travel, groceries and health services.
- The 2023 guidelines issued under the Consumer Protection Act ban 13 tactics such as false urgency, basket sneaking, subscription traps, drip pricing and disguised advertisements.
- The CCPA praised the move as exemplary, referenced its June 5 advisory that set self-audits and public disclosures, and said it will keep monitoring with enforcement action where required; declarations are viewable on the CCPA website.
- Authorities highlighted consumer education via the National Consumer Helpline and outreach campaigns, while independent studies and user reports have previously flagged dark patterns on some health-tech apps, underscoring continued scrutiny.