Dark Patterns Crackdown: Zepto, Physics Wallah Among Platforms Fined By CCPA; How Apps Deceive Customers?

While doing online transactions for buying something on e-commerce or availing other services, many customers often pay extra costs like handling fees, memberships, or donations that appear as an add-on amount just before payment. While these costs seem small, however, it might be a significant amount when you add them up for all recurring transactions. The government is now cracking down on these deceptive 'dark patterns.'

Why Govt Penalised Zepto, Physics Wallah And Others 

The Central Consumer Protection Authority  (CCPA) has penalised nine digital platforms, including IndiGo, Zepto, FirstCry, Physics Wallah, and SpiceJet, for using "dark patterns"—manipulative interface designs—to influence consumer choices, the infomed to the Rajya Sabha. 

These practices are governed by the 2023 Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, which identify 13 deceptive designs, including basket sneaking and drip pricing. Following a June 2025 advisory for mandatory self-audits, the CCPA has penalised non-compliant platforms, collecting approximately Rs 20 lakh in fines.

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How Apps Deceive Customers 

Zepto: The quick-commerce giant was fined Rs 7 lakh for drip pricing for hidden handling charges and basket sneaking –auto-added memberships. The platform has since discontinued these practices, the government informed. 

Physics Wallah: The ed-tech firm was fined Rs 5 lakh for pre-selecting Rs 10 donations and using emotionally persuasive messaging to influence consumers. The company has deposited the penalty and stopped the practice.

IndiGo: The biggest domestic airline company intervened for "confirm shaming" via guilt-inducing opt-out messages. As per the government, the airline replaced the wording with neutral alternatives following the regulator's action.

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BookMyShow: The movie ticket and event booking site was Ordered to remove pre-ticked Rs 1 charitable contributions. The company was found applying this basket-sneaking tactic.

Other Penalties: FirstCry (Rs 2 lakh), Anuj Jindal (Rs 3 lakh), PharmaEasy (Rs 1 lakh), McAfee (Rs 1 lakh), and SpiceJet (Rs 1 lakh) were penalised for various dark patterns, including hidden charges, forced subscriptions, and misleading timers.