Dark Patterns: Government gives strict warning to e-commerce companies, action will be taken if people are misled

Dark Patterns Consumer Manipulation: People are openly seduced in different ways on the e-commerce platform. Taking a strict stand in this matter, the government has asked all e-commerce companies including Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho to stop dark patterns

On Tuesday, the Central Government has given a final warning to the e-commerce companies, which openly trick the consumers, to stop the wrong tactics of business. The Union Consumer Ministry has directed all e-commerce companies including Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho to self-regulate dark patterns. Companies have to prepare its blueprint, after which the government will seal it. If this is not done by the companies, then the government will take a tough stand.

America and European Union have taken strong measures against dark consumer patterns. Dark patterns attempt to influence or trick consumers through various means including deceptive advertisements. Suppose you browse a website and then there are offers of click bait, hidden ads, bet n switch, hidden prices, spam and barter system (referring).

Meeting with e-commerce companies

According to the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry, this is not a fair trade practice as it is used to entice, mislead or influence consumers. In Mumbai, the top officials of the ministry held a meeting with all the e-commerce companies, in which the companies have also agreed on self-regulation. Simply said, all the companies will remove the dark pattern in their website. If there is any complaint in this regard from the consumers, then it will also be resolved.

Last chance to rein in Dark Patterns

A Union Ministry official told  that dark patterns are also used to mislead consumers or not provide correct information. However, no one accepts this fact. In all the reports regarding this in European Union and America, big companies have been found involved in the use of dark pattern. This was the reason that the ministry has given the last chance to the e-commerce companies doing business in the country to curb this act.

Strict action will be taken against the companies

If the companies do not listen, then strict action will be taken by the government. He told that after preparing a blueprint for self-regulation, the companies will submit it to the ministry and after that approval will be given to implement it.

Significantly, if the companies do not comply with the instructions, then under the Consumer Law, the Central Ministry can impose heavy fines on the companies on the issue of Unfair Trade Practice. Apart from this, new rules can be implemented to tighten the screws on the dark pattern.