CCPA advises e-commerce platforms to evaluate themselves within 3 months to identify any dark patterns and take action against deceptive

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has asked all e-commerce platforms to audit themselves and find a solution to the issue of dark patterns within three months. Its purpose is to address the methods used to confuse customers during online shopping. The term "dark pattern" refers to tactics that affect customers' rights by creating unnecessary pressure in various ways. 

Recently, the CCPA issued notices to companies like Uber for pressuring customers to pay extra in tips under the guise of expedited service. The CCPA stated that e-commerce companies must ensure they are curbing unfair trade practices that confuse consumers on their platforms. Information about dark patterns will need to be identified and removed from the platform within three months. Audits will ensure the platform is free from these dark patterns. A joint working group has been formed for this purpose.

Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs Nidhi Khare said the authority is monitoring the violation of the rules issued for the postal pattern. A joint working group has been formed for this. It includes representatives of the concerned ministry, the voluntary consumer organization NLU, and regulators. The working group has been entrusted with the task of investigating to identifying violations of dark patterns on e-commerce platforms, taking measures to prevent it and informing the department about it within the stipulated time.

The CCPA had received complaints regarding the prevention and regulation of dark patterns, in which the guidelines were being violated. Therefore, all e-commerce platforms were advised to avoid using deceptive design interfaces. E-commerce companies motivate customers to make the desired purchase in many ways.