CCPA fines nine digital platforms nearly ₹20 lakh over deceptive dark patterns and misleading consumer practices.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed penalties totalling nearly ₹20 lakh on nine digital platforms, including Zepto, BookMyShow, IndiGo, Physics Wallah, FirstCry, PharmEasy, SpiceJet, McAfee, and coaching platform Anuj Jindal, for deploying “dark patterns” designed to manipulate consumer purchasing decisions.1 2
Zepto Marketplace received the highest fine of ₹7 lakh after regulators discovered the platform displayed lower prices initially, then added handling charges and membership fees during checkout.1 3 The CCPA classified these practices as drip pricing and basket sneaking, where consumers are manipulated into unintended purchases.1
BookMyShow was directed to remove a pre-ticked ₹1 contribution to its BookASmile charitable initiative, which the regulator identified as basket sneaking requiring active opt-out.2 IndiGo faced action over confirm shaming tactics, where its opt-out message read “No I will take risk,” misleading users into accepting additional services.1 3
Physics Wallah was fined ₹5 lakh for automatically pre-selecting a ₹10 donation to its PW Foundation with emotionally persuasive messaging encouraging users to retain the charge.1 The platform also required personal information disclosure before accessing free courses, violating consumer consent principles.2
India’s Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, identifies 13 prohibited deceptive practices including false urgency, trick questions, and subscription traps.1 The CCPA issued an advisory in June 2025 directing e-commerce platforms to conduct self-audits and eliminate these manipulative interface designs.2 All companies have been directed to remove these deceptive practices and ensure consumer consent remains clear, informed, and explicit.3
