The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is slated to convene a meeting with several countries at 6 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) on Thursday (October 26) to curb violation of consumer rights by employment of online dark patterns. With consumers across the world experiencing problems with online dark patterns, the right to know and to make an informed choice, intergovernmental experts will discuss ways to protect consumers from dark patterns.

The Indian government has specified 10 dark patterns so far, which include false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced action, subscription trap, interface interference, bait and switch, drip pricing, disguised advertising and nagging. In the public response to draft guidelines for dark patterns, the government has also received suggestions to include online behaviours of trick questions, SaaS billing and rogue malwares in the list of dark patterns while laying down guidelines to deal with them.

Nidhi Khare, Special Secretary with the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), told CNBC-TV18 that the government has observed certain algorithmic ways on online sale of products which don't seem fair at the outset, which includes saddling customers with online services and subscriptions without their consent. To increase awareness to identify and combat dark patterns, India has also launched a Dark Patterns Buster hackathon which will continue till March 15, 2024.

Also Read:India invites public feedback on draft guidelines to combat online dark patterns

(Edited by : Sangam Singh)

First Published:Oct 26, 2023 4:05 PM IST