26 E-Commerce Platforms Declare Full Compliance with Dark Pattern Prevention Guidelines

Arijit Bose
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New Delhi: In a significant step towards ensuring a transparent and consumer-friendly digital marketplace, twenty-six leading e-commerce companies have submitted voluntary self-declaration letters affirming full compliance with the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023.

The declarations follow internal or third-party audits carried out by these platforms to identify and eliminate deceptive user interface practices that mislead or manipulate consumers. All 26 companies have confirmed that their platforms are free from dark patterns.

The development marks a major milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to build an ethical digital ecosystem where consumer trust and fair trade practices are prioritized.

CCPA Welcomes Industry-Wide Compliance

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has applauded the companies for their proactive approach and termed the move an “industry-best practice.” The authority had earlier directed platforms to prominently publish their self-audit declarations online, ensuring public transparency.

The declarations are also accessible on the CCPA’s official portal.

CCPA has urged all remaining e-commerce platforms, service providers, and app developers operating in India to follow suit. The authority reiterated that dark patterns—misleading design strategies—undermine long-term consumer trust and harm businesses themselves.

Through the National Consumer Helpline, social media outreach, and public education campaigns, consumers are being empowered to identify and report dark patterns. The CCPA has assured strict action against platforms found guilty of violations.

About the Dark Pattern Guidelines

Notified in November 2023 under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the guidelines prohibit 13 types of dark patterns, including:

  • False urgency

  • Basket sneaking

  • Forced action

  • Confirm shaming

  • Subscription traps

  • Drip pricing

  • Trick wording

  • SaaS billing

  • Disguised advertisements

  • Interface interference

  • Rogue malwares

In June 2025, the CCPA issued an advisory directing all digital platforms to conduct self-audits within three months to weed out such manipulative practices.

List of Platforms That Submitted Self-Audit Declarations

  1. Page Industries (Jockey, Speedo)

  2. William Penn Pvt. Ltd. (Sheaffer, Lapis Bard)

  3. PharmEasy

  4. Zepto

  5. Curaprox

  6. Duroflex

  7. Flipkart

  8. Myntra

  9. Cleartrip

  10. Walmart India

  11. MakeMyTrip

  12. BigBasket

  13. Tira Beauty

  14. JioMart

  15. Reliance Jewels

  16. Ajio

  17. Reliance Digital

  18. Netmeds

  19. Hamleys

  20. MilBasket

  21. Swiggy

  22. Tata 1mg

  23. Zomato

  24. Blinkit

  25. Ixigo

  26. Meesho

These platforms have affirmed that they neither use pre-ticked consent boxes nor rely on misleading layouts, hidden charges, or deceptive navigation techniques.

The move is expected to significantly boost consumer confidence and set new standards of accountability in India’s e-commerce sector, signalling that ethical design and business growth can progress together.

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