11 June, 2026 | 1:58 AM
Online buyers losing `28K cr p.a. to dark patterns, hidden charges
10-06-2026 12:00:00 AM
Indian consumers are losing an estimated ₹25,000 crore to ₹28,000 crore annually due to deceptive interface designs, commonly known as dark patterns, across online marketplaces, according to a report.
The 'Dark Patterns in India’s Online Marketplaces' report, released by market research firm Datum Intelligence on Tuesday, said 88% of the country's 304 million online buyers lose approximately ₹78 to ₹87 per month each to hidden charges, forced add-ons, drip pricing, false urgency rules and subscription traps.
"Existing regulatory interventions have so far had limited success in curbing deceptive digital practices that continue to impact millions of consumers," the report noted. The survey found that 63% of online payment users now experience hidden charges or drip pricing, where additional fees are revealed at the checkout stage. This marks an increase from the 52% reported in 2024. Furthermore, 73% of the platforms assessed deploy forced action mechanisms, compelling users into actions they might not otherwise choose.
