Government warns e-commerce companies over dark patterns: 10 such tricks online shoppers need to be beware of

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MCA) has written a letter to top digital commerce companies such as Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, BigBasket, Reliance Retail, Swiggy, Meesho among others to stop using dark patterns for duping consumers as it is an unfair trading practice. The consumer affairs ministry has warned online platforms and companies to refrain from adopting “dark patterns” which deceive or manipulate consumers’ choice and harm their interest. The ministry is also said to be in the process of framing guidelines for discouraging the usage of dark patterns.