The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken regulatory action against nine prominent digital platforms, including quick-commerce firm Zepto, ticketing service BookMyShow, and airline IndiGo. The regulator issued a collective penalty of Rs 20 lakh, citing the use of 'dark patterns'—a term used to describe user interface designs that trick or manipulate consumers into taking actions they might not otherwise choose, such as making unintended purchases or signing up for unwanted services.

While the CCPA has identified these practices as violations of consumer rights, the specific nature of the 'dark patterns' employed by each individual company has not been detailed in the initial reports. The regulatory move signals a broader crackdown by Indian authorities on digital interface practices that prioritize company conversion metrics over user transparency. The platforms involved are now expected to comply with the CCPA’s directives to modify their app and website designs to ensure they align with fair trade practices. As of now, the companies have not publicly detailed their specific plans for UI/UX overhauls in response to the fines, though the regulatory action sets a precedent for how digital platforms must design their user checkout flows moving forward.