The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued an advisory to all e-commerce websites to remove “dark patterns” designed to mislead users. 

Dark patterns are manipulative tricks employed by a company to convince you to buy a higher-priced product or service than you otherwise would have. 

These tricks violate the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, which specify 13 dark patterns like False urgency, Basket Sneaking, Confirm shaming, etc. They also violate the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and E-Commerce Rules, 2020.

Companies must check their websites or apps and fix such issues within three months and submit a report. A special committee has also been formed to create awareness amongst the consumers.

An intermediary, as defined under Section 2(1)(w) of the IT Act, 2000, is any platform, such as ISPs, websites, and social media, that stores or transmits user data without modifying content. 

Intermediaries enjoy Safe Harbour protection under Section 79, which shields them from liability for third-party content if they follow due diligence and promptly remove unlawful content once notified.

In a recent case, the Delhi High Court warned Indiamart that failure to act on counterfeit product takedown requests could result in losing its safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act.

The Madras High Court upheld the Tamil Nadu government’s regulations mandating a night-time ban (12 am to 5 am) and Aadhaar-based KYC for online real money games.

The court rejected petitions from gaming companies and players, stating that these rules aim to protect public health and are reasonable restrictions.

The court emphasized the government's right to regulate online gaming under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022, and the 2025 rules.

Despite concerns over privacy and business rights, the court ruled that the measures are justified in the broader interest of public welfare and safety.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has extended the deadline for stakeholders to submit comments and counter-comments on its draft manual for rating properties under the "Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024."

Initially released on May 13, 2024, the draft manual aims to create a structured framework for evaluating digital connectivity in residential and commercial buildings. The extension was granted following requests from stakeholders for additional time to provide comprehensive feedback.

The new deadlines are June 10, 2025, for comments and June 17, 2025, for counter-comments. TRAI seeks to enhance digital infrastructure transparency through this initiative.

Kolkata Police arrested 22-year-old law student of Symbiosis Pune, Sharmishta Panoli, from her Gurgaon residence for allegedly making disrespectful and derogatory remarks against a religion in an Instagram video.

The video, criticizing Bollywood actors’ silence on Operation Sindoor, went viral and led to outrage and a police complaint in Kolkata.

Despite Panoli deleting the video and issuing a public apology, police registered an FIR and obtained a court-issued arrest warrant after repeated attempts to serve her legal notice failed.

She was produced before the Alipore Court and has been sent to judicial custody till June 13.

The Supreme Court has observed that cryptocurrency regulation in India falls into a “grey area” and current laws are “obsolete.”

The remarks came during a bail hearing in a Bitcoin extortion case involving Shailesh Babulal Bhatt.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Vijay Bishnoi criticised the lack of a clear legal framework, noting that unregulated crypto trading mirrors hawala systems and is prone to misuse. 

The Court urged the government to frame effective regulations, stating that while banning crypto would be unwise, immediate oversight is essential.

The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the Lieutenant Governor’s office and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Software Freedom Law Centre (SFLC).

The PIL challenges a December 2024 notification designating the Delhi Police as the Nodal Agency under the IT Rules, 2021, empowering it to issue takedown notices for online content.

SFLC contends that such authority resides solely with the Central Government under Section 69A of the IT Act, and delegating it to the police is ultra vires and threatens free speech.

The next hearing is scheduled for September 17.

The Delhi Police has told the Delhi Court that the tweets posted by journalist Rana Ayyub, which led to a hate speech case, are no longer available on X (formerly Twitter). 

The FIR was lodged under Sections 153A, 295A, and 505 of the IPC for allegedly insulting Hindu deities and Savarkar, following a complaint by lawyer Amit Sachdeva. 

Police issued multiple notices under Section 91 CrPC seeking data from X, but the platform hasn’t responded yet.

The court has directed the police to file an updated status report by July 30 as the investigation progresses.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court stressed the need to curb online trolling and abusive content on social media platforms. 

Justice Nyapathy Vijay suggested the implementation of auto-blocking mechanisms for swear words and militant language, similar to the Supreme Court’s directive in the Sabu Mathew George case.

The court observed that unchecked abusive posts violate the fundamental right to a dignified life under Article 21. These remarks were made during the anticipatory bail hearing of YSR Congress Party social media head, accused of posting derogatory content.

The court urged the state to take prompt action and direct intermediaries to adopt tech-based solutions.

The Delhi High Court has ordered the removal of deepfake videos falsely depicting entrepreneur and YouTuber Ankur Warikoo promoting stocks and WhatsApp investment groups.

Justice Amit Bansal directed the removal of specific video links submitted in the petition, but declined to issue a blanket ban on future content. The Court also restrained websites from uploading or circulating such impersonated content. 

Warikoo, represented by Senior Advocate Swathi Sukumar, argued the videos mislead viewers, damage his reputation, and infringe his personality and trademark rights.

The Court noted the gravity of the digital impersonation and ordered compliance within five days. The case resumes on October 8.

The Supreme Court, while hearing a plea linked to a cryptocurrency fraud involving the abduction and extortion of over 2,000 Bitcoins, 11,000 Litecoins, and ₹14.5 crore, questioned the lack of regulatory measures for cryptocurrency in India.

While acknowledging taxation of digital assets at 30%, the Court emphasized that regulation, not a ban, is essential. The issue arose from a case tied to the now-defunct BitConnect platform, where the petitioner's role is still unclear.

The Court directed the CBI to expedite the investigation and asked for the Union’s stand on crypto regulation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 30, 2025.

The Delhi High Court ordered OTT platforms Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video and film producers to embed audio description, same‑language captioning and Indian Sign Language in five upcoming releases: The Buckingham Murderers, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Shaitan, Article 370 and Kaluva. 

All future releases must also be accessible from the time of online premiere.

Petitioners, represented by Adv. Rahul Bajaj argued that accessibility must be integral, not optional. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has only issued an advisory so far.

The Court told the MIB to fast‑track binding guidelines and listed the matter for July 17. Netflix counsel  stated its service already has certain accessibility features.  

In response to rising concerns over fake news, especially after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Centre plans to revise the “safe harbour” clause under Section 79 of the IT Act, which currently shields intermediary platforms from liability for user-generated content.

In a note to a parliamentary panel, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting urged platforms to improve due diligence and self-regulation

The government also seeks to give legal backing to the PIB’s Fact Check Unit, which counters misinformation.

Meanwhile, a special leave petition is being prepared to challenge a Bombay High Court verdict limiting the unit’s authority.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a strict warning against unauthorised recording of court proceedings in the High Court and district courts of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.

A public notice from the Registrar General states that any person or entity found recording proceedings without permission may face confiscation of electronic devices and contempt of court charges.

The order applies to in-person and virtual hearings.

Similar rules exist in other High Courts, with violations leading to punishment under the Copyright Act, IT Act, and contempt laws.