Overview
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority, which disclosed the actions to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, has penalised nine platforms and reported roughly Rs 20 lakh collected in fines.
- The 2023 Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns defines 13 deceptive interface types such as drip pricing, basket sneaking, confirm shaming and subscription traps, and the CCPA cited those rules in its orders.
- Zepto was fined Rs 7 lakh for showing lower prices then adding handling charges and automatic membership fees, a practice the regulator called drip pricing and basket sneaking.
- Physics Wallah was fined Rs 5 lakh for an automatically pre‑selected Rs 10 donation and persuasive messaging and was told to stop requiring personal data for free courses, while IndiGo changed a shaming opt‑out message after the regulator intervened.
- Other firms ordered to discontinue dark patterns include BookMyShow, FirstCry, PharmaEasy, McAfee, SpiceJet and coaching platform Anuj Jindal, a move that sets a precedent for clearer pricing and stronger consent rules in India’s digital marketplaces.