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New Apps Launched to Combat E-Commerce Dark Patterns

Why in the news?

The Department of Consumer Affairs is launching apps and a dashboard on National Consumer Day 2024 to empower consumers and curb manipulative practices in online marketplaces.

About the New Initiatives for Consumer Protection:

• The Department of Consumer Affairs will launch the ‘Jago Grahak Jago App,’ ‘Jagriti App,’ and ‘Jagriti Dashboard’ on 24th December 2024 to tackle unfair practices in e-commerce.
• These tools aim to empower the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to take suo moto actions against dark patterns.
• Developed by IIT(BHU), the apps utilize AI to identify and regulate manipulative practices on e-commerce platforms in real time.

Addressing Dark Patterns in E-Commerce:

• The CCPA notified the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns in 2023, identifying 13 practices, including Basket Sneaking, Confirm Shaming, Subscription Traps, and Disguised Advertisements.
• Notable interventions include:
• BookMyShow: Automatically added donations without user consent (Basket Sneaking). Resolved by offering opt-in options for contributions.
• IndiGo Airlines: Used phrases like “No, I will take risk” (Confirm Shaming). Resolved by neutral wording and disclaimers for seat selection.
• CCPA continues to hold discussions with industry stakeholders to prevent such practices and ensure fair trade.

Features of the Apps:

• ‘Jago Grahak Jago App’: Provides real-time alerts on unsafe URLs during online activities.
• ‘Jagriti App’: Allows users to report suspected dark patterns, filing complaints directly to the CCPA.
• ‘Jagriti Dashboard’: Enhances CCPA’s monitoring capability by generating real-time reports on e-commerce URLs, identifying potential dark patterns.

These initiatives aim to create a transparent digital marketplace, protect consumer rights, and promote ethical practices in e-commerce.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times