New Delhi: India’s biggest online shopping platforms—Flipkart, Myntra, Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Meesho, BigBasket, MakeMyTrip and Ajio—have officially declared that their apps and websites are now free of dark patterns after undergoing mandatory self-audits ordered by the government.
The declarations come as India’s digital marketplace expands rapidly, raising concerns about manipulative design practices that mislead consumers through hidden fees, false urgency, confusing wording, forced actions or difficult cancellation processes.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs confirmed that 26 e-commerce companies have submitted detailed self-declarations to the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA). These reports state that each platform has completed a thorough internal or third-party review of its user interface to ensure full compliance with the 2023 guidelines on dark patterns.
In a statement, the ministry said the move reflects “a strong commitment towards consumer transparency, fair trade practices, and an ethical digital ecosystem.” It added that the shift proves businesses can protect consumers while strengthening long-term brand trust.
Dark patterns are design tricks used to manipulate users into making purchases, subscribing to services, or sharing personal data without fully informed consent. The 2023 rules identify 13 banned practices, including drip pricing, basket sneaking, confirm shaming and subscription traps.
A rise in complaints and the increasing dependence on digital commerce prompted the CCPA to issue an advisory in June 2025 requiring all online platforms to complete self-audits within three months and publicly display their compliance.
Despite the industry’s voluntary declarations, the regulator has said it will continue to monitor platforms closely. Companies that have not submitted audits remain under watch, and action will be taken against any platform found violating the guidelines.
