Twenty-six major e-commerce and digital service platforms – including Zepto, BigBasket, Zomato, Swiggy, Flipkart and MakeMyTrip – have formally declared compliance with the government’s 2023 guidelines aimed at eliminating dark patterns in user interfaces.
The Department of Consumer Affairs announced that these companies have voluntarily submitted self-declaration letters, confirming that their platforms no longer deploy manipulative design tactics. Each firm has carried out either an internal assessment or a third-party audit to identify, address and remove interface elements that may mislead or pressure consumers into unintended actions.
Dark patterns refer to design strategies that subtly influence user behaviour, such as drip pricing, false urgency cues, disguised advertisements, or bait-and-switch mechanisms. The Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 define and prohibit 13 such practices across online marketplaces, travel portals, food-delivery apps, retail platforms and service websites.
According to the Ministry, this round of declarations marks a significant step toward strengthening consumer protection in India’s fast-growing digital economy. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) stated that the move is expected to motivate more companies to adopt similar compliance mechanisms. In June, the regulator had advised all digital platforms to conduct mandatory audits within three months.
The list of compliant platforms includes PharmEasy, Myntra, Walmart India, Cleartrip, Ixigo, Meesho, Reliance Retail entities (JioMart, Reliance Digital, Tira Beauty), Netmeds, Tata 1mg, Blinkit, Page Industries and Hamleys, among others.
The CCPA said it will continue monitoring for violations and will initiate enforcement action where necessary. Consumers have been encouraged to report suspicious dark-pattern practices through the National Consumer Helpline and other official channels.
