The Department of Consumer Affairs is set to introduce two new applications, the “Jago Grahak Jago App” and “Jagriti App,” on National Consumers Day, December 24, 2024. These apps aim to empower consumers with tools to detect harmful practices, known as dark patterns, on e-commerce platforms. Additionally, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) will be enhanced with the “Jagriti Dashboard,” which allows for the generation of real-time reports on e-commerce URLs to identify dark patterns, thereby improving monitoring and regulation of online consumer interactions.
This initiative is expected to assist the CCPA in recognizing dark patterns more efficiently, leading to quicker resolutions of consumer complaints and addressing practices harmful to consumer rights.
The “Jago Grahak Jago App” provides vital information to users about various e-commerce URLs during their online shopping activities, warning them of any potentially unsafe sites that require caution. On the other hand, the “Jagriti App” enables users to report URLs where they suspect dark patterns are present, which will be logged as complaints with the CCPA for further investigation and action.
Through these developments, the Department aims to foster a transparent and equitable online marketplace where consumers can make informed choices without being misled or pressured. It also seeks to educate consumers about their rights and to regulate e-commerce platforms to prevent practices such as subscription traps, where users are unknowingly enrolled in recurring payment schemes.
The Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns issued in 2023 outline 13 specific dark patterns, including false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced action, subscription traps, interface interference, bait and switch tactics, drip pricing, disguised advertisements, nagging, trick wording, SaaS billing, and rogue malware. Previously, the CCPA had taken action against IndiGo Airlines and BookMyShow for misleading advertising and unfair trade practices related to deceptive design patterns. It has been noted that both companies have since resolved these issues.
