What are Dark Patterns in E-Commerce?

Dark patterns are deceptive design practices used on websites or apps to manipulate consumer choices, often leading users to spend more money, share more data, or make unintended purchases.

Examples include false urgency (like “only 1 left!”), basket sneaking (adding extra items), or confirm shaming (guilt-tripping during opt-out).

These patterns are now prohibited under the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, and violate the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and E-Commerce Rules, 2020, making them legally punishable.