CCPA Penalises 9 Digital Platforms Including Zepto, IndiGo for Using Dark Patterns

For their use of "dark patterns," the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has sanctioned nine online platforms, including IndiGo, Zepto, and Physics wallah. Companies were instructed to stop engaging in these questionable practices, and the government informed the Rajya Sabha of this development. These patterns have the potential to impact consumer decisions.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs stated in a written response dated August 5 that the authority had taken stronger steps to prevent unfair practices in online marketplaces. So far, the CCPA has collected penalties from platforms found to be in breach of roughly INR 20 lakh, according to the government.

Dark Patterns and Why Government Framed Guidelines for it?

India has just implemented new regulations for the prevention and regulation of dark patterns in 2023. Basket creeping, trick questions, drip pricing, false urgency, subscription traps, and confirm shaming are among the thirteen misleading online tactics mentioned in these guidelines. In June 2025, the CCPA issued an advisory as a follow-up, according to the Rajya Sabha reply.

Therefore, requesting that e-commerce platforms conduct self-audits to guarantee that their interfaces are devoid of such practices. The maximum fine was INR 7 lakh, handed down by the government to Zepto Marketplace. Following the discovery by the CCPA that handling charges and membership fees were added to the purchase trip, this penalty was formulated. Drip pricing was how the regulator viewed the handling cost, whereas basket stealing was how they viewed the automatic membership inclusion. The platform has reportedly stopped doing this since the government's announcement.

Suo motu cognisance of a preselected INR 10 gift to the "PW Foundation" led to the CCPA imposing a INR 5 lakh penalty on Physics wallah. To keep the donation, consumers were allegedly sent emotionally compelling messaging, according to the government. On the other hand, providing personal information was a must in order to access the free classes. According to the government, the business paid the fine and stopped using the dark pattern.

Major Business Operators Fiddling with Govt Norms

Additionally, the government informed Parliament that IndiGo made changes to their mobile app in response to cyberbullying complaints. In response to the CCPA's intervention, the airline changed the opt-out message from "No, I will take risk" to "No, I will not add to the trip." Similarly, the regulator found a case of basket stealing and ordered BookMyShow to remove a pre-ticked INR 1 contribution to its BookASmile project.

Punishments of INR 2 lakh were levied on FirstCry, INR 3 lakh against Anuj Jindal, INR 1 lakh against PharmaEasy, INR 1 lakh against McAfee, and INR 1 lakh against SpiceJet. According to the authorities, these businesses were requested to end tactics including sneaky fees, deceptive countdown clocks, forced subscriptions, and manipulative subscription renewal requests.