CCPA Fines 9 Platforms Over Dark Patterns

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has penalised nine digital platforms for using deceptive interface designs known as 'dark patterns'. These designs can manipulate consumers into making choices they may not otherwise make.

The CCPA has identified 13 types of dark patterns, including false urgency, basket sneaking, and subscription traps. In June 2025, the regulator issued an advisory asking e-commerce platforms to conduct self-audits to detect these patterns.

Since then, the regulator has collected about Rs 20 lakh in penalties from platforms found violating the guidelines. The enforcement is significant because it puts the responsibility on digital businesses to ensure that convenience does not come at the cost of transparency.

Zepto Marketplace, a quick-commerce platform, was fined Rs 7 lakh after the CCPA found that it initially displayed lower prices but later added handling charges and membership fees. The regulator said the handling charges amounted to 'drip pricing', while automatically adding the membership constituted 'basket sneaking'.

The CCPA also took action against digital education platform Physics Wallah, imposing a Rs 5 lakh penalty after finding that a Rs 10 donation to its 'PW Foundation' was automatically pre-selected. The regulator objected to the use of emotionally persuasive messaging to nudge consumers into retaining the pre-selected donation amount.

Other platforms penalised by the CCPA include IndiGo, FirstCry, and SpiceJet. The action highlights a growing concern around how online platforms design their checkout, subscription, and payment processes.

For consumers, seemingly small features such as pre-selected donations, hidden charges, or carefully worded opt-out messages can influence decisions and increase the final amount they pay. The CCPA's enforcement is a step towards ensuring that digital businesses prioritize transparency and consumer consent.

The issue of dark patterns is particularly problematic in fast-moving digital transactions, where users may complete purchases quickly and notice additional costs only at a later stage of the checkout process.

The CCPA's action is a significant step towards protecting consumer rights in the digital economy. It emphasizes the importance of transparency and fairness in online transactions, and serves as a reminder to digital businesses to prioritize consumer consent and avoid deceptive practices.

In the future, the CCPA is likely to continue monitoring digital platforms for dark patterns and taking action against those that violate the guidelines. This will help to create a more transparent and fair online marketplace, where consumers can make informed decisions without being manipulated by deceptive designs.

The CCPA's enforcement also highlights the need for consumers to be aware of dark patterns and to take steps to protect themselves. This includes carefully reviewing terms and conditions, watching out for hidden charges, and being cautious of emotionally persuasive messaging.

By working together, the CCPA, digital businesses, and consumers can create a more transparent and fair online marketplace, where convenience and transparency go hand in hand.

The CCPA's action against dark patterns is a significant development in the digital economy, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds in the future.

The regulator's efforts to protect consumer rights and promote transparency in online transactions are commendable, and it is likely that other regulators will follow suit.

In conclusion, the CCPA's penalisation of nine digital platforms for using dark patterns is a significant step towards protecting consumer rights in the digital economy. It highlights the importance of transparency and fairness in online transactions, and serves as a reminder to digital businesses to prioritize consumer consent and avoid deceptive practices.