Dark patterns are design tricks that push people into actions they did not intend: hidden charges, fake urgency, sneaky subscriptions. In India, the Central Consumer Protection Authority issued guidelines in 2023 for preventing and regulating dark patterns.
This is a general overview, not legal advice. Check the current guidelines and consult a lawyer if unsure.
Examples listed in the guidelines
- False urgency: fake “only 2 left” or countdown timers.
- Basket sneaking: adding items or charges without consent.
- Confirm shaming: “No thanks, I don’t like saving money.”
- Forced action: requiring unrelated sign-ups to continue.
- Subscription traps: easy to join, hard to cancel.
- Drip pricing: revealing charges only at the end.
- Disguised ads: ads made to look like content.
- Nagging: repeated requests that disrupt use.
Honest alternatives
- Show total prices, fees and delivery charges early.
- Use real stock levels and real deadlines.
- Make cancellation as easy as signing up.
- Use neutral wording for declining offers.
- Give a fair choice in cookie banners; create one with our cookie banner generator.
Honest offers still convert
Clear discounts work; check their cost with our discount calculator.
Read ethical urgency and scarcity.
Want the full picture? This article is part of Landing pages: the complete guide, our in-depth guide with everything in one place.
