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India's CCPA Fines Nine Platforms Over Deceptive 'Dark Patterns'
Some apps and websites use tricky designs to get people to pay more than they planned.
These sneaky tricks are called 'dark patterns.'
For example, a donation or a membership fee might be added automatically, without asking first.
Sometimes the 'no thanks' button sounds scary, like 'No I will take risk.'
The government of India says 13 of these tricks are not allowed.
A special group called the CCPA checks apps and websites to make sure they follow the rules.
The CCPA fined nine companies, including Zepto, IndiGo, Physics Wallah and BookMyShow.
Zepto had to pay Rs 7 lakh, and Physics Wallah had to pay Rs 5 lakh.
The companies were told to stop using the tricks and to be honest about prices.
Now, when people shop online, they should see clear prices and get to choose what they pay for.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) penalised nine digital platforms — Zepto, IndiGo, FirstCry, Physics Wallah, SpiceJet, BookMyShow, PharmaEasy, McAfee and Anuj Jindal — for using dark patterns.
Zepto Marketplace was fined Rs 7 lakh for drip pricing and basket sneaking — hidden handling charges and an automatic membership fee — and has since discontinued the practices.
Physics Wallah paid Rs 5 lakh for a pre-selected Rs 10 donation to PW Foundation, emotionally persuasive messaging and requiring personal information to access 'free' courses.
IndiGo changed its 'confirm shaming' prompt from 'No I will take risk' to 'No, I will not add to the trip' after the regulator intervened.
The CCPA has collected about Rs 20 lakh in penalties since its June 2025 self-audit advisory; one report says seven firms were fined and IndiGo and BookMyShow received notices, while others count nine penalised platforms.
- Who
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), India's consumer regulator, acted against nine digital platforms: Zepto, IndiGo, FirstCry, Physics Wallah, SpiceJet, BookMyShow, PharmaEasy, McAfee and Anuj Jindal; Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs B L Verma disclosed the action in the Rajya Sabha.
- What
- Platforms were penalised and directed to discontinue 'dark patterns' — deceptive interface designs such as drip pricing, basket sneaking, confirm shaming and false urgency. One report says seven firms were fined while IndiGo and BookMyShow received notices; others say nine platforms were penalised.
- Where
- India; the action was disclosed in New Delhi.
- When
- Disclosed in a written Rajya Sabha reply around August 4–5, 2026, following enforcement that began with a June 2025 self-audit advisory.
- Why
- To stop deceptive online practices that hide charges, pre-select payments and pressure consumers into choices they would not otherwise make.
Regulator's Position
Companies' Defense
Intent Behind Default-Consent Practices
Regulator's Position
The CCPA treats pre-ticked boxes, hidden charges and pressured opt-out prompts as 'dark patterns' that manipulate consumers, violate the 2023 guidelines and warrant penalties plus discontinuation.
Companies' Defense
SpiceJet attributed its pre-ticked loyalty-programme enrolment to a 'technical error' rather than deliberate design, and submitted an undertaking confirming permanent rectification.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
- Action
- Penalties on digital platforms for dark patterns
- Platforms
- Zepto, IndiGo, FirstCry, Physics Wallah, SpiceJet, BookMyShow, PharmaEasy, McAfee, Anuj Jindal
- Largest Penalty
- Rs 7 lakh - Zepto Marketplace
- Other Penalties
- Physics Wallah Rs 5 lakh; Anuj Jindal Rs 3 lakh; FirstCry Rs 2 lakh; PharmaEasy, McAfee, SpiceJet Rs 1 lakh each
- Regulatory Framework
- Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 (13 types)
- Total Penalties Collected
- About Rs 20 lakh since June 2025 advisory
- Example Change
- IndiGo replaced 'No I will take risk' with 'No, I will not add to the trip'
Quotes
CCPA regulator
Official from the Central Consumer Protection Authority
“"No, I will not add to the trip."”
thehansindia.com
B L Verma
Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs
“"Subsequent to the Guidelines for the Prevention Dark Pattern 2023, CCPA has taken action against e-commerce platforms engaging in dark patterns and imposed a penalty to the tune of Rs 20 lakh."”
NDTV
Sources
Zepto, BookMyShow, IndiGo Among 9 Apps Fined Rs 20 Lakh Over 'Dark Patterns'
CCPA cracks down on dark patterns; IndiGo, Zepto, FirstCry, Physics Wallah among 9 platforms penalised
CCPA Penalises Zepto, IndiGo, Physics Wallah And 6 Other Platforms Over Dark Patterns
Zepto, Physics Wallah Among 7 Firms Fined For Misleading Online Practices
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