Feature

National, July, 2025.Dark patterns—design techniques that subtly influence consumer choices—are prevalent across both online and offline retail environments, according to a new report launched by the Esya Centre, a leading policy research and innovation think tank. While these practices are often viewed as deceptive, the report finds they can sometimes aid consumers in saving money or choosing better-suited products. The findings highlight the need to reassess the current regulatory focus, especially under the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns (GPRDP), 2023, which apply only to digital platforms and do not fully account for the retail sector’s complexity.Titled “Dark Patterns in Indian Retail: An Empirical Evaluation”, the study is based on a detailed consum...