CCPA Issues Advisory to E-Commerce Platforms to Self Audit Dark Patterns within 3 Months

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.