By Admin 
If you shop online and ever felt that the website forced you to take a decision, like “hurry, offer is over” or “The price was quietly increased without telling the extra charge”, then you are probably victims of dark patterns. Now the government has taken strict steps on this.
What are dark patterns?
Dark patterns means such designs or interface tricks, which make online buyers in deception and make them decide. These include cleverness like “Fals Arjesia” (such as false fear of limited stock), “basket sneeneg” (adding charge without telling) and “subscription trap”.
CCPA’s big step
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has given strict warning to all e-commerce companies to remove dark patterns from their platforms. For this, they have to audit themselves within 3 months and ensure that there is no fraud or misleading trade practice on their platforms.
The government wants companies to give declaration themselves that they are not involved in a dark pattern. This will strengthen confidence between consumers and online platforms and will make a fair digital ecosystem.
Action on those who violate guidelines
The CCPA has already issued notices to some e-commerce companies, which are accused of breaking dark pattern guidelines. The authority has clearly stated that it is keeping a close watch on such fraudulent design techniques.
JWG responsibility
The Department of Consumer Affairs has formed a joint working group (JWG), which includes representatives of ministries, regulators, consumer organizations and law university. This group will identify dark patterns on e-commerce and will inform the government regularly. Also, the campaign will be recommended to spread awareness among consumers.
13 dark patterns have been identified
The guidelines issued by the government in 2023 have identified 13 such dark patterns, which are usually used to confuse or cheat consumers on e-commerce and digital platforms. Their purpose is to force consumers to take such decisions, which they usually do not take.
False Urgency means creating an atmosphere of false hurry, such as “just a few minutes left”, so that you make shopping without thinking.
In basket sneaking, another product or extra charge is added to your cart without telling.
Confirm shaming occurs when you refuse an offer or service and you are shown a message to be ashamed, like “Do you really want to leave this magnificent deal?”
Subscription trap is the way in which a service is subscribed without giving you clear information and then it is difficult to cancel it.
Interface Interference means a design that you accidentally click that you did not want.
In bait and switch, you are brought to the site by luring a good offer, but in reality it is not available.
Drip pricing is a very common move, in the beginning low price is shown, but many hidden charges are added at the time of payment.
Disguised advertisements are advertisements that look like general information or content, so that you do not understand that it is Ed.
Nagging means sending notifications or popups for something again and again, so that you can accept it in compulsion.
In Trick Wording, such words are used that consumers are confused, such as “now” means “yes”.
Saas Billing is a software service trick in which you are charged again and again, even if you are not using it.
Rogue malwares are software that can enter your device without your knowledge and activate the data or activate unwanted services.
All these patterns have been identified by the government in the interest of consumers so that there is an atmosphere of transparency and trust on digital platforms.
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