If a screen makes you rush, it is controlling your decision.
Dark patterns are interface tricks that nudge you into spending more, sharing more, rushing more, or staying subscribed longer - among other manipulations. They are not your fault and they are not inevitable. Learn to name them, and they stop working.
Spot it yourself
Thirteen Tricks, catch each one. Get a certificate.
Thirteen questions, one for each dark pattern recognised in India. Get 7 or more questions right and you can download your certificate.
QUESTION 01 / 13
0 of 13 answeredA shopping site shows “Only 2 left!” and a 5-minute countdown. You refresh and both reset. What is this?
Your rights
Deceptive design is not just annoying — it is unlawful
You are protected by law
The Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, issued under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, name thirteen dark patterns as unfair trade practices in India.
Read the guidelines (PDF)You can complain
Deceptive design can be reported to the National Consumer Helpline (1915) or on the INGRAM portal, and misleading advertisements to the CCPA.
Evidence wins
Screenshots, order summaries, and confirmation emails turn a bad feeling into a documented, actionable complaint.
TAKE THE LEAD
Every User is an Auditor
- 01Pick one app you use daily - food delivery, shopping, streaming, ticketing etc.
- 02Walk through signup, checkout, and cancellation - screenshotting relevant screens.
- 03Tag screenshots against the thirteen patterns above and note the evidence.
- 04Share your findings publicly, or send them to us below - awareness is the whole point.
Send us your findings
Share the screenshots you collected and what you noticed. Add your name only if you want credit — it is optional.
Awareness sessions
Seminar in your College, Corporate, NGO or Organisation
Bring a Dark Patterns Audit seminar to your institution - to empower teams, consumers and users to recognise manipulative design and protect themselves.