The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has penalised nine digital platforms, including IndiGo, Zepto, FirstCry, Physics Wallah and SpiceJet,
for deploying "dark patterns" or in other words for using deceptive user interface designs. These can manipulate consumer choices, the government stated in the Rajya Sabha. The Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, identifies and regulates 13 types of deceptive interface designs, including false urgency, basket sneaking, subscription traps, drip pricing, confirm shaming and trick question/wording. The CCPA had issued an advisory in June 2025 urging e-commerce platforms to conduct self-audits to detect dark patterns on their platforms. The regulator has since then collected about Rs 20 lakh in fines from those found violating the guidelines, the government mentioned on Tuesday. Former FSSAI Director, Pradip Chakraborty spoke to Times Now Digital on the importance of manufacturing and expiry dates on e-commerce and quick commerce platforms and said, "FSSAI has a lot of work to do, particularly as far as e-commerce platforms are concerned. As per Section 53 of the FSS Act, 2006 penalty for misleading advertisement may extend up to ten lakh rupees." Dr Sanjay Arora, Marketing Consultant & Mg. Pr. Shells Advertising Inc told Times Now Digital, "nobody sits in a boardroom and decides to deceive customers. What happens is subtler-a growth target meets a conversion experiment, the A/B test wins, and nobody asks what the winning version taught the customer about the brand. Dark patterns are what happens when the funnel reports to sales and the brand reports to nobody." Thus highlighting on the importance of transparency and ethics that brands need to follow as well as be held accountable. Times Now Digital also spoke to Revant Himatsingka, FoodPharmer, Founder of Only What's Needed and health advocate who said, "I don't think consumers should have to choose between speed and information. They deserve both. Before clicking "Buy", every consumer should be able to clearly see the ingredient list, nutrition information, manufacturing date, expiry date, allergen information and net quantity. That's basic information needed to make an informed decision. Today, even something as simple as checking the ingredients or calories can be surprisingly difficult on some listings. That shouldn't be the case." Times Now Digital's "E-Comms Hiding Health Info" campaign has been reporting consumer complaints, what health experts and legal experts believe and the measures FSSAI has taken so far. The campaign has highlighted how India's quick commerce and e-commerce boom cannot undermine consumers' right to information.
