Why India Banned 13 Dark Patterns and What You Need to Know
- Shilpa Naresh, Chief Operating Officer, TIC

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Have you ever felt pressured to buy something online because of a "limited-time offer" or struggled to unsubscribe from a service? These tactics, known as dark patterns, are deceptive design elements used to manipulate users into unintended actions.

The Indian government recently took a strong stance against these manipulative practices, banning 13 dark patterns commonly used in e-commerce and online platforms. This landmark decision, issued on November 30th by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) in the "Guidelines for prevention and regulation of dark patterns," applies to all online businesses operating in India, including sellers and advertisers.

What are dark patterns and why are they harmful?

Imagine a website bombarding you with messages like "only a few left" or hiding the unsubscribe button for a service. These are classic examples of dark patterns. They're intentional design tricks that exploit psychological vulnerabilities to push users towards choices that benefit the platform, not you.

Here are some common dark patterns:

• False Urgency: Creates a sense of scarcity to pressure quick purchases.
• Basket Sneaking: Adds unwanted items to your cart without your knowledge.
• Forced Action: Requires buying extras to access a desired product.
• Subscription Trap: Makes unsubscribing difficult.

Why Should You Care About Dark Patterns?

Dark patterns are bad for everyone. As users, they can lead to:

• Financial Loss: You might end up spending more than intended.
• Privacy Concerns: Deceptive practices can compromise your data security.
• Frustration and Distrust: Feeling tricked erodes trust in online platforms.

These are the 13 Dark Patterns Banned in India

The Indian government's ban on dark patterns aims to create a fairer and more transparent online shopping experience. Here are some of the banned practices:

1. False Urgency ("Limited stock left!")
2. Basket Sneaking (Surprise additions to your cart)
3. Confirm Shaming (Guilt-tripping you into subscribing)
4. Forced Action (Buying extras to access a product)
5. Subscription Trap (Difficult to unsubscribe)
6. Interface Interference (Confusing layouts to manipulate choices)
7. Bait and Switch (Advertised deals that change)
8. Drip Pricing (Hidden fees added at checkout)
9. Disguised Advertisement (Ads cleverly disguised as content)
10. Nagging (Constant pop-ups pressuring you to subscribe)
11. Tricky Questions (Confusing language or pre-checked boxes)
12. Billing Surprise (Unexpected charges after a "free trial")
13. Rogue Malware (Malicious software disguised as downloads)

This government action is a major step forward for online consumer protection in India. As UX/UI designers, we share the responsibility of creating ethical and user-centered experiences. By prioritizing user needs and building trust through clear, informative, and transparent interfaces, we can all contribute to a fairer and more ethical online experience.

The recent ban signifies a positive shift towards ethical design, putting users first and protecting them from manipulation.

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