The Union Government will launch the world's first software to detect dark patterns on the Internet.

Dark patterns are tricks that tech companies use to get users to click features that benefit the company.

These are design tactics on a webpage intended to attract consumers into making a choice or making a transaction they never intended to. For instance, e-commerce companies could use marketing strategies such as 'limited time offers' that actually never end and suggest that a product is going to be sold out soon thus creating a false urgency in the consumers.

The Consumer Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology- BHU, recently launched a four-stage hackathon to build an open-source software that will be available as a freely downloadable browser extension and a mobile app, a global first that will alert users to the presence of dark patterns on websites.

The Ministry has identified over 10 such dark patterns commonly used by websites that constitute 'malpractices' and 'unfaid trade practices' in contravention of Section 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The aim is in any case to protect the consumers and their consumer rights.

The goverment is preparing draft guidelines to curb the menace but dark patterns are evolving and are on a ride. The Department has got ample amount of feedback on framing regulations and much appreciation from the public.

Common dark patterns are encountered by users visiting insurance sites and air-ticketing platforms which gives an option to exist an insurance offer with words that convey subtle warnings. Consumers are tricked into making wrong choices and that's by default set into design.

Some dark patterns include trick questions which are vaguely worded, recurrent malicious software and subscription traps.

Purchasing a subscription is easy but not when it comes to cancel the same.

It is expected that the new application and the software to detect such dark patterns will be for public good and consumer sovereignty.

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Reference:

• hindustantimes.com