Overview
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority has penalised nine digital platforms and directed them to stop specific “dark patterns” — user‑interface tricks that steer users into extra charges, donations or subscriptions.
- Quick‑commerce firm Zepto received the largest fine of Rs 7 lakh after the regulator found drip pricing where handling fees were added at checkout and automatic inclusion of memberships that the CCPA called basket sneaking.
- Education platform Physics Wallah paid Rs 5 lakh for a pre‑selected Rs 10 donation and emotionally persuasive messaging, IndiGo changed an opt‑out prompt that used confirm shaming, and BookMyShow was ordered to remove a pre‑ticked Re 1 charity contribution.
- The government told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the regulator has collected roughly Rs 20 lakh in penalties in total and that other firms fined include FirstCry (Rs 2 lakh), Anuj Jindal (Rs 3 lakh), PharmaEasy, McAfee and SpiceJet (Rs 1 lakh each).
- The action applies the Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns Guidelines, 2023 and follows a June 2025 CCPA advisory asking platforms to self‑audit, signaling a shift from guidance to active enforcement that aims to strengthen clear pricing and genuine consumer consent.