The Growing Use Of Dark Patterns On The Web: Impact On Consumer Rights
- IJLLR Journal
- Mar 30
- 1 min read
Shreya Shekhar, Symbiosis Law School, Pune
ABSTRACT
With the advent of digital consumerism, consumers are exposed to plethora of websites on the web. It is par for the course for consumers to get deceived by ‘dark patterns’ in the digital domain. Dark patterns are such deceptive user interfaces, which manipulate the consumers into taking actions against their original interest or state of mind. These patterns often go unnoticed and are discretely proliferated on digital domains. Legislative advancements are struggling to keep pace with the ever-evolving challenges posed in the digital consumerism arena. This essay will throw light on the said issue, in a manifold manner. Firstly, it will analyse dark patterns and the tactics used on websites by companies at the expense of consumer rights. Further, the essay will explore the consumer protection laws, and any other existing laws or guidelines regulating the usage of dark patterns and global best practices. Post analysing the adequacy of laws in India and global regulatory responses, a set of recommendations will be laid down to protect consumer rights in an era where digital consumerism is at its peak.
Keywords: dark patterns, deceptive, consumer rights, privacy, legislations, global best practices
