In a big move to make online shopping safer and more honest, the Indian government has told all e-commerce platforms to check themselves for tricks that mislead customers. These tricks, often called “dark patterns,” are sneaky ways websites and apps are designed to push people into doing things they may not really want to do—like buying more than they planned, clicking on hidden options, or falling for fake urgency messages. With more people than ever shopping online, the government has decided it’s time to clean up the digital marketplace.
Dark patterns aren’t always easy to spot, but they’re more common than most people think. For example, have you ever seen a website say, “Only one item left!” just to make you buy faster? Or maybe you’ve had something added to your shopping cart without asking for it—like an extended warranty, insurance, or a donation. Sometimes, websites even show fake countdown timers or show you a product with hundreds of glowing reviews that might not even be real. All of this is designed to make you act quickly, without thinking too much. And that’s exactly the kind of behaviour the government now wants to stop.
As online shopping keeps growing in India, so do the number of complaints from buyers. People feel tricked or misled while making purchases. Some end up spending more money than they wanted to. Others feel pressured into rushing a decision. This has made it clear that something needs to be done. Shopping online should feel as fair and transparent as walking into a real store. You should be able to see all your options clearly, know the total cost upfront, and never feel pushed into something against your will.
To make this happen, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has stepped in. It has asked all e-commerce companies to do a “self-audit.” This means they must go through their own websites and apps carefully, and find any features that may be confusing or misleading to customers. If they find anything that fits the definition of a dark pattern, they must fix it right away. The goal is to clean up digital platforms so that they are more honest and easier to use.
This is not the first time the government has spoken about this. Back in November 2023, it released detailed guidelines explaining what counts as a dark pattern. These include fake reviews, false urgency messages, hidden charges, or making it hard to unsubscribe from services. The message is clear: companies must stop using dishonest tricks to boost their profits. If they don’t take this seriously, they could face penalties or legal action.
For regular online shoppers like you and me, this is great news. It means we might soon see cleaner, clearer, and more honest online shopping experiences. You’ll be able to trust what you see on the screen. No more surprise fees, fake countdowns, or tricks that make you spend more than you wanted. Instead, you’ll get real offers, honest pricing, and better service.
Many of the big companies have already said they support this move. Some have started reviewing their systems and plan to make improvements. They know that long-term trust is more important than short-term gains. After all, customers remember how they were treated, and they’re more likely to return to a platform that feels fair and respectful.
That said, not every company may agree right away. Some might argue that using clever designs or offers is just part of doing business. But that’s where this self-audit step is smart. It gives companies a chance to correct themselves before the government takes tougher action. It’s not about punishing them, but about encouraging better practices and protecting the rights of consumers.
Still, rules and audits are only part of the solution. As customers, we also have a role to play. We need to stay alert while shopping online. If something feels too good to be true, it probably is. Take time to read the fine print, double-check product reviews, and keep an eye out for hidden charges or strange options added at checkout. The more aware we are, the harder it becomes for dark patterns to fool us.
Over time, if more shoppers demand fairness and honesty, companies will have no choice but to respond. Trust is the real currency in the online world. Once that’s lost, even the biggest brand can struggle to recover.
Right now, the government has given companies a limited time to finish their self-checks and submit reports. Depending on what they find, there could be more steps in the future. Companies that continue using dark patterns may face strict action. This isn’t just for big names like Amazon or Flipkart, but also includes smaller websites, travel portals, ticket booking apps, food delivery services, and more. Basically, if a company is selling something online, it has to follow these rules.
This move shows that India is serious about protecting people in the digital age. Online shopping isn’t just a trend anymore—it’s a way of life. But with convenience should also come responsibility. People should never feel tricked or misled when they shop online. They should feel safe, informed, and in control of their choices.
By asking companies to clean up their act and focus on fair practices, the government is taking a strong stand for the rights of digital consumers. It’s a reminder that technology should serve people—not fool them. And as this message spreads, we can hope for a future where shopping online is as simple and safe as it was always meant to be.