India none-too-subtly reminds Big Tech that local laws prohibit dark patterns

India’s government has reminded big tech companies that it has rules that prohibit the use of dark patterns – deceptive design practices that deliberately mislead and confuse customers of online services and apps – and called for an end to their use. India’s Department of Consumer affairs consulted with local and global big …

[Alumoi]

But.... if we don't trick the suckers into buying our shit, how will our CEOs buy more planes?

[Andrew Scott]

just get them as gifts from the uae. though maybe you need to be potus to get that kind of grift.

[gryphon]

Not guidelines

"In late 2023, India’s government added the Guidelines to local consumer affairs laws."

If they've been added to the body of the law then they are a legal requirement, otherwise they are really just a statement of best practice.

Similar to the way that during covid legislation and guidance was routinely conflated by the media and govt. ministers.

Guidance / Gestalt thinking - We think an hour of exercise outside of the home is really the maximum people should be doing

Law - Exercise outside of the home is permitted

Guidance / Gestalt thinking - People shouldn't really be driving somewhere to exercise and shouldn't be sitting down for 2 minutes to drink a coffee

Law - Exercise outside of the home is permitted

[Anonymous Coward]

Hmm

Maybe they could remind the boards of Infosys and TCS as well when it comes to their sales tactics...

[vtcodger]

Good Luck To Them

They are telling capitalists not to lie and cheat? If that works perhaps they should provide guidelines to the weather explaining the acceptable amounts and hours for precipitation.

[An_Old_Dog]

Re: Good Luck To Them

I'm having trouble believing, that the Indian government believes a "serious talk" with these megacorps will change those megacorps' behaviour.

Thus, it must be the government is posturing for the masses, and/or fishing for bribes.

[Doctor Syntax]

Re: Good Luck To Them

Nothing would say serious talk like a few successful prosecutions.

[ind]

Specified Dark Patterns

Specified Dark Patterns:

False Urgency

Basket sneaking

Confirm shaming

Forced Action

Subscription trap

Interface interference

Bait and switch

Drip pricing

Disguised advertisement

Nagging

Trick question

Rogue Malwares

from :

https://www.nls.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dark-Patterns.pdf

[JessicaRabbit]

They can't be all that serious about this if they're not looking to enforce it. You'd have to have been living in a cave the last decade or so to not know by now that industry self-regulation doesn't work.