Top e-commerce platforms, quick commerce startups and others tell CCPA they have eliminated dark patterns

The filings come months after the government asked internet platforms to scrutinise their user interfaces and publicly disclose any manipulative design elements

As many as 26 of India’s largest e-commerce platforms have submitted self-declaration letters to the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), confirming compliance with the government’s dark-pattern guidelines.

The disclosures mark the first major wave of filings since the Centre directed digital platforms earlier this year to conduct mandatory self-audits of their user interfaces and publish the results.

Why does this matter now?

The declarations follow the CCPA’s June 2025 advisory, issued after a high-level meeting where the government instructed digital and e-commerce companies to audit their platforms for dark patterns and display the declarations prominently.

As Moneycontrol earlier reported, the Centre had also proposed forming a Joint Working Group (JWG) with participation from industry, academia and consumer bodies to guide implementation and strengthen awareness around deceptive design.

The regulator gave companies three months to complete the audit exercise and has now released the filings it received on its portal.

What have the companies declared?

A total of 26 platforms have stated that their interfaces do not contain any of the 13 dark patterns identified under the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023. These include false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced action, subscription traps, bait and switch, interface interference, drip pricing, disguised ads and trick wording.

The declarations span marketplaces, travel platforms, grocery and quick-commerce services, fashion and beauty platforms, pharmacy apps and consumer brands.

Companies that have submitted filings include Flipkart, Myntra, Ajio, JioMart, BigBasket, Zepto, Swiggy, Blinkit, MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, Ixigo, Tata 1mg, PharmEasy, Netmeds, Meesho, several Reliance Retail entities, Page Industries, Duroflex, William Penn, Hamleys and others.

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The firms used a mix of internal self-audits and third-party reviews, with all declaring compliance and ongoing monitoring.

What is the regulator saying?

The CCPA has appreciated the submissions, calling them exemplary and encouraging other companies to complete similar exercises.

It reiterated that dark patterns are prohibited under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and that platforms must ensure their declarations remain clearly visible to consumers.

The authority noted that consumer-awareness efforts have expanded through the National Consumer Helpline, social media, videos and outreach programmes to help users identify and report such practices.

What happens next?

While 26 filings have been submitted so far, the CCPA has urged all remaining platforms, service providers and app developers to complete their audits.

The authority has said it continues to maintain a close watch on potential violations and will act where necessary.

With the first round of declarations now public, the government’s dark-pattern initiative moves from directive to documented compliance — with broader participation expected in the next phase.