- The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed penalties on nine digital platforms, including IndiGo, Zepto, Physics Wallah, and BookMyShow, for using deceptive online practices known as dark patterns that allegedly misled consumers during purchases and subscriptions.
- The CCPA has collected around ₹20 lakh in penalties from companies found violating the guidelines.
- In June 2025, the CCPA directed e-commerce platforms to conduct self-audits and remove dark patterns from their digital services.
- Zepto was fined ₹7 lakh for drip pricing and basket sneaking during checkout, where additional charges were added after users viewed the initial price.
- Physics Wallah was fined ₹5 lakh after the CCPA took suo motu cognisance of a pre-selected ₹10 donation option linked to its PW Foundation.
- IndiGo was penalised for confirm shaming, leading to a revised opt-out message that replaced a manipulative prompt with a more neutral statement.
- BookMyShow was directed to discontinue a pre-selected ₹1 donation to its BookASmile initiative after being classified as basket sneaking.
- FirstCry was fined ₹2 lakh for deceptive checkout nudges, while Anuj Jindal was fined ₹3 lakh for manipulative prompts.
- PharmEasy, SpiceJet, and McAfee each faced penalties of ₹1 lakh for deploying hidden charges or false urgency signals.
- The CCPA's actions follow a June 2025 mandate requiring e-commerce entities to conduct self-audits and eliminate deceptive user interface tactics.
- The CCPA's crackdown marks a critical shift from advisory compliance to financial enforcement in India's digital ecosystem.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has penalised nine major digital platforms, including IndiGo, Zepto, and Physics Wallah, for employing deceptive online practices termed dark patterns. The CCPA has collected approximately ₹20 lakh in fines as part of its crackdown on misleading consumer tactics.1234567
Among the penalties, Zepto received the largest fine of ₹7 lakh for using drip pricing and basket sneaking during its checkout process, where additional fees were added after users viewed the initial price. Following the intervention, Zepto has ceased these practices.8
Similarly, Physics Wallah was fined ₹5 lakh for pre-selecting a ₹10 donation option linked to its foundation, which was accompanied by emotionally persuasive messages. The platform has since paid the penalty and revised its user interface.
In the aviation sector, IndiGo faced scrutiny for employing confirm shaming in its app, prompting users with a manipulative opt-out message. The airline has since modified the wording to a more neutral statement.
Other companies penalised include FirstCry (₹2 lakh), Anuj Jindal (₹3 lakh), and PharmEasy, SpiceJet, and McAfee (₹1 lakh each) for various deceptive practices. The CCPA's actions follow a mandate for e-commerce platforms to eliminate such tactics, ensuring consumer protection in digital transactions.910
“Zepto received the largest penalty of ₹7 lakh for adding handling charges and membership fees during checkout, while Physics Wallah was fined ₹5 lakh for a pre-selected ₹10 donation. IndiGo changed its opt-out message from "No I will take risk" to "No, I will not add to the trip" after regulatory intervention.”
The Assam Tribune
