As part of 100-day plan, Govt to launch app to target deceptive methods used by cos to trick consumers: Sources

Have you ever tried to buy something online only to notice at the final checkout page that some extra item had been added into your cart without your knowledge? Or, while booking an airline ticket you are informed that "only 2 seats are left at this price" to create a sense of urgency to make an immediate decision? Or, experienced a "subscription trap" where cancellation of a paid subscription is almost impossible or the user is forced to provide payment details or authorisation for auto debits for availing of a free subscription?

In the next two months, the government will launch a mobile application which will alert consumers when online platforms try to trick users using these deceptive techniques, known as dark patterns, said a senior official from the department of consumer affairs. Launch of the app is part of the department's agenda for the first 100 days after the formation of the next government.

Users only have to download the application, which will be able to detect the usage of dark patterns by all leading ecommerce companies and send an alert to the consumer, who can then file a complaint with consumer forums.


"The mobile application will be able to detect the use of dark patterns on all leading ecommerce platforms," the official said.

Dark patterns are essentially deceptive user-interface practices crafted by digital commerce companies and online advertisers to manipulate users to make choices or do things that may not be in their interests but benefits the company implementing it.

Dark patterns, most prevalent in advertising, are used to lure consumers into buying a more expensive product, paying more than what was disclosed, sharing data or making choices based on false or paid-for reviews. Last December, the Central Consumer Protection Authority notified rules to prevent deceptive behaviour of ecommerce companies by defining 13 practices, terming them as 'dark patterns' and categorising them as offences.