📷 Image: Hindustan Times (via NewsData)
Business
Nine E‑Commerce Platforms Penalised for Consumer Deception, Including Zepto, IndiGo, Physics Wallah
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 05 Aug 2026, 04:38 PM
👁 1
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has penalised nine platforms for deceptive practices that mislead consumers. Among those flagged are Zepto, IndiGo, and Physics Wallah.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) announced penalties against nine e‑commerce and service platforms for employing deceptive tactics that mislead consumers. The list includes popular names such as Zepto, IndiGo, and Physics Wallah.
Under the orders, the platforms are required to cease the use of dark patterns, provide clear pricing information, and pay fines that vary by the severity of the violations. The CCI also directed them to conduct internal audits and report compliance within a specified timeframe.
The move follows a June 2025 advisory from the CCI urging all e‑commerce sites to perform self‑audits to detect and eliminate dark patterns. The advisory was issued after a series of consumer complaints about hidden fees and misleading offers.
Industry analysts say the penalties signal a tougher stance on consumer protection, and firms are expected to tighten their user interface designs to avoid further regulatory scrutiny.
Under the orders, the platforms are required to cease the use of dark patterns, provide clear pricing information, and pay fines that vary by the severity of the violations. The CCI also directed them to conduct internal audits and report compliance within a specified timeframe.
The move follows a June 2025 advisory from the CCI urging all e‑commerce sites to perform self‑audits to detect and eliminate dark patterns. The advisory was issued after a series of consumer complaints about hidden fees and misleading offers.
Industry analysts say the penalties signal a tougher stance on consumer protection, and firms are expected to tighten their user interface designs to avoid further regulatory scrutiny.