In a digital-first economy, user trust is the most valuable currency. However, the rise of Dark Patterns—deceptive design patterns used to trick consumers into making choices they didn’t intend to—has led to strict regulatory intervention. On November 30, 2023, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) in India officially notified the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns. These guidelines apply to all platforms (e-commerce, travel, food delivery, etc.) providing goods or services in India.
What is a Dark Pattern Audit?
An audit ensures that your website or application UI/UX is transparent, ethical, and legally compliant. At ITQCR, we evaluate your digital assets against the 13 prohibited practices defined by the CCPA to mitigate legal risks and improve customer retention.
The 13 Prohibited Dark Patterns:
- False Urgency & Scarcity
- Basket Sneaking
- Confirm Shaming
- Forced Action
- Subscription Trap
- Interface Interference
- Bait and Switch
- Drip Pricing
- Disguised Advertising
- Nagging
- Trick Questions
- SaaS Billing (Automated Renewals)
- Rogue Malware
Why Compliance Matters
Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, any platform found engaging in Dark Patterns faces:
- Heavy Penalties: Significant fines imposed by the CCPA.
- Reputational Damage: Loss of user trust and negative brand perception.
- Legal Action: Potential for class-action lawsuits and mandatory UI redesign orders.
Partner with ITQCR for Your Compliance Audit
Is your UI compliant? Our experts provide a comprehensive Dark Pattern Compliance Report, and Compliance analyzing your user journeys from landing to checkout.