New Delhi. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has intensified its action against practices that mislead consumers during online shopping and digital services. The authority has fined nine digital platforms, including IndiGo, Zepto, Physics Wallah, BookMyShow, FirstCry, and SpiceJet, for using “dark patterns.”
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs provided this information in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. According to the government, monitoring and action have been increased to prevent the use of online interfaces on digital platforms that could influence consumers’ purchase or subscription decisions.
What is a “dark pattern”?
“Dark patterns” are designs or online practices designed to influence users to choose a particular option. These include methods such as drip pricing, basket sneaking, confirmation shaming, subscription traps, and deceptive prompts.
According to the CCPA, these practices can lead consumers to make decisions they might not normally make.
Zepto fined ₹7 lakh
The CCPA imposed a fine of ₹7 lakh on the instant commerce platform Zepto Marketplace. The regulator found that users were being charged additional handling charges and membership fees during checkout after the initial price shown.
The CCPA classified this as drip pricing and basket sneaking. Following the authority’s action, Zepto discontinued the relevant practices.
Physics Wallah fined ₹5 lakh
Edtech platform Physics Wallah was fined ₹5 lakh. According to the CCPA, the platform displayed messages that emotionally influenced users and encouraged them to retain the donation option.
The regulator also objected to the requirement to request personal information from users before granting access to free courses. The company paid the fine and removed the relevant practices.
IndiGo’s app interface also changed
The CCPA also objected to “confirmation shaming” on airline IndiGo’s mobile app. The regulator considered the opt-out message, “No, I’ll take the risk,” to be pressurizing on consumers.
Following the action, the airline modified its user interface and replaced it with the more neutral message, “No, I won’t add anything to the trip.”
BookMyShow directed to remove donation option
BookMyShow was directed to remove the pre-selected ₹1 donation option associated with its BookASmile initiative. The CCPA considered this arrangement to be “basket sneaking.”
These companies were also fined
Under the CCPA’s action, FirstCry was fined ₹2 lakh, coaching platform Anuj Jindal ₹3 lakh, and PharmEasy, McAfee, and SpiceJet ₹1 lakh each.
According to the regulator, a fine of approximately ₹2 million has been collected so far from companies violating dark pattern guidelines.
E-commerce companies directed to self-audit
In June 2025, the CCPA directed e-commerce platforms to self-audit their digital services. Companies were asked to identify and remove potential dark patterns on their platforms.
This action clearly demonstrates the regulator’s increasing oversight of design strategies that impact consumers’ shopping experiences and online choices on digital platforms.
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