After Govt Pressure, Top E-Commerce Platforms Drop Manipulative Design Tactics
New Delhi, 21st November 2025: The Union government’s crackdown on deceptive online practices, commonly known as dark patterns, is beginning to show visible results. The Centre announced that 26 major e-commerce companies have formally declared that they do not use dark patterns and have prohibited misleading claims or unfair trade practices on their platforms.
According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, these companies have submitted voluntary declarations confirming compliance with the guidelines for preventing dark patterns. They have also conducted internal or third-party audits to identify and eliminate such practices from their platforms.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) said that the move by these 26 companies is expected to encourage others in the e-commerce sector to adopt self-regulation. The authority also warned that platforms still using dark patterns must remove them immediately or face regulatory action.
The government reminded that the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns were notified on November 30, 2023. The rules prohibit 13 manipulative design practices, including drip pricing, bait-and-switch tactics, hidden advertising and false urgency. In June this year, the CCPA issued an advisory directing all e-commerce platforms to eliminate these patterns within three months.
What Are Dark Patterns?
Dark patterns refer to design elements or user interface strategies that trick, manipulate or pressure consumers into making choices that are not in their best interest. Examples include misleading pricing, covert advertisements, fake countdown timers and disguised opt-in options.
The 26 companies that declared compliance include: FarmEazy, Zepto Marketplace, Flipkart Internet, Myntra Designs, Walmart India, MakeMyTrip, BigBasket, JioMart, Zomato-Swiggy, Blinkit, Page Industries, William Penn, Cleartrip, Reliance Jewels, Reliance Digital, Netmeds, Tata 1MG, Meesho, ixigo, Milkbasket, Hamleys, Ajio, Tira Beauty, Duroflex and Curedon India.
The government reiterated that misleading technologies or manipulative features will not be tolerated and warned that strict action will be taken against violators in the future.
