How customers fall prey to dark patterns
Founder, Director of Avaali Solutions Pvt Ltd, Ms. Srividya Kannan’s article published in financialexpress website.
Our CEO Srividya Kannan explores the pervasive issue of dark patterns in digital commerce in her latest piece for Financial Express (India). She examines how manipulative UI/UX designs exploit consumer psychology through techniques like false urgency, hidden costs, and subscription traps.
The article delves into the technology behind these practices, including how AI and algorithmic personalisation amplify manipulation tactics, while highlighting critical gaps in India’s regulatory framework. Srividya emphasises that while the Consumer Protection Act provides enforcement mechanisms, challenges remain in technical expertise and cross-border enforcement. Her analysis underscores a crucial point: dark patterns represent short-term thinking that ultimately damages the entire digital ecosystem by eroding consumer trust.