Flipkart, Swiggy and Zomato among 26 e-commerce platforms declare themselves free of ‘dark patterns’
PTC Web Desk: India’s online shopping industry is expanding rapidly and so are concerns about misleading website designs. To protect customers, 26 major e-commerce companies, including Flipkart, Myntra, Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Meesho, Ajio, BigBasket and MakeMyTrip, have announced that their platforms are now free from “dark patterns”.
Dark patterns are tricks used on websites or apps that confuse users or push them into actions they did not intend, such as hidden extra charges, false urgency messages, confusing wording, forced clicks or complicated cancellation steps.
These companies completed a self-audit as required by the 2023 guidelines issued by the government to stop such deceptive practices. They submitted their compliance reports to the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), confirming that they checked their apps and websites through internal or third-party audits.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs said this industry-wide effort showed a strong commitment to transparency, fair practices and ethical online behaviour. It added that protecting consumers and growing digital business can go hand in hand.
Dark patterns are officially banned under 13 categories, which include subscription traps, drip pricing, confirm shaming and basket sneaking. Rising customer complaints led the CCPA to ask all platforms in June 2025 to complete the audit within three months and publicly reveal their status.
Authorities say monitoring will continue, and strict action will be taken against platforms that have not submitted audits or are found violating the rules.
- With inputs from agencies
