Overview

• Dark patterns, manipulative design tactics used by websites and apps, are a growing concern in India's digital commerce sector.
• The meeting will include major e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, and Zomato, as well as industry bodies, consumer rights groups, and legal experts.
• The Department of Consumer Affairs has previously issued guidelines identifying 13 prominent dark patterns and launched consumer protection apps to combat these practices.
• The government has also collaborated with IIT (BHU) on a hackathon to develop tech tools aimed at detecting and preventing dark patterns.
• This upcoming stakeholder meeting aims to develop enforceable solutions to protect consumer rights and ensure fair market practices.