Dark pattern recognition tools created by the Consumer Affairs Ministry will soon enable people to take independent action against unethical trade activities by e-commerce platforms. Users can make better judgments thanks to these tools, which are made to identify and draw attention to the manipulative design strategies that online platforms employ to trick customers.
The Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU) and the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) are collaborating to develop these tools, which include browser extensions and plug-ins. These technologies will instantly notify users of any dark patterns on websites, such as misleading countdown timers, hidden costs, or manipulated permission forms. By arming customers with the information and tools to identify and steer clear of unethical behaviours, this effort seeks to improve transparency and equity in the online buying experience.
Within the first 100 days of the new government, the project was anticipated to be finished, and the tools made public showcasing a prompt and proactive commitment to consumer protection. The cooperation between DoCA and IIT BHU is a big step in the right direction for improving consumer rights and ensuring ethical standards are upheld in the online economy.
Dark Patterns
Dark patterns include deceptive advertising, unfair trade practices, or violations of consumer rights since they are designed to fool internet users into unintentional acts like making purchases. A plug-in is a software add-on that enhances an existing program’s features or capabilities without fundamentally altering it. Plug-ins for web browsers can add features like improved security, password management, and ad blocking.
A browser extension is a small programme that adds specific features or functionalities to a web browser to add particular features or functionalities, improving its capabilities and personalising the browsing experience. Ad blocking, password management, privacy protection, customisation, productivity tools, and other conveniences like news feeds or weather updates are just a few uses for browser extensions.
Department of Consumer Affairs released guidelines in November 2023 to stop these unethical acts
These rules highlighted 13 dark patterns, including fake urgent alerts, subscription traps, bait-and-switch pricing, and nagging techniques. Email inquiries went unanswered by representatives of the consumer affairs ministry, and representatives of Amazon, Flipkart, the All India Gaming Federation, and EaseMyTrip declined to comment.
Why is a dark patterns tactic used?
A dark pattern is used in the app or website design to deceive users into performing actions they did not intend to take, such as sharing personal information, purchasing unnecessary items, or signing up for unwanted subscriptions. These manipulative design choices exploit cognitive biases and human psychology to steer users towards decisions that benefit the platform at the user’s expense, often compromising user privacy, security, and financial well-being.
During a recent meeting, senior ministry officials were shown the plug-in extension tool’s use case, which is being developed to identify and counteract these dark patterns. According to the first person who was aware, the officials found the tool highly accurate. The plug-in extension tool, designed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU), can automatically detect and flag various dark patterns on websites and apps in real-time. Doing so alerts users when they are about to be misled, empowering them to make more informed choices.
The tool’s development represents a significant step forward in consumer protection, offering individuals a means to safeguard themselves against deceptive practices that have become increasingly prevalent in the digital age. The positive feedback from senior ministry officials indicates strong support and confidence in the tool’s potential to enhance transparency and fairness in online transactions. This initiative underscores the commitment of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) to fostering an ethical digital marketplace where consumers can navigate without fear of manipulation.
The ministry’s instructions mention the following 13 dark patterns
The comprehensive presentation demonstrated the tool’s use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs), and other sophisticated models to identify dark trends on e-commerce platforms and notify users. The ministry’s instructions mention the following 13 dark patterns: trick phrasing, rogue malware, fake urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shame, forced action, subscription trap, interface interference, bait and switch, drip pricing, camouflaged marketing and nagging.
