Extracted Data Points

Regulatory Action Overview

  • Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed penalties on PhysicsWallah Limited and McAfee Software India Private Limited
  • PhysicsWallah fined ₹5,00,000 (₹5 lakh)
  • McAfee fined ₹1,00,000 (₹1 lakh)
  • Both companies directed to remove dark pattern practices from their platforms
  • Action taken under Consumer Protection Act, 2019; Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020; and Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023
  • CCPA headed by Chief Commissioner Smt. Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Shri Anupam Mishra

PhysicsWallah Violations

  • Pre-selected donation of ₹10 to PW Foundation automatically added during checkout without explicit consumer consent
  • Emotional messages shown related to children's education, healthcare and marriages to encourage keeping donation selected
  • Courses advertised as "free" required sharing personal information (mobile number and email address) for access
  • Content remained same across user accounts, indicating mandatory data collection was not essential
  • Dark patterns identified: Basket Sneaking, Confirm Shaming, Forced Action
  • Violated Section 2(9) of Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (impairment of free and informed decision-making)
  • Violated Section 2(28) of Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (misleading advertisement for 'free courses' without disclosing mandatory registration)
  • Violated Section 2(47) of Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (unfair trade practice)
  • Violated Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 Rule 4(9) (automatic consent through pre-ticked checkbox) and Rule 4(3) (unfair trade practice)
  • Violated Dark Patterns Guidelines, 2023

McAfee Violations

  • Subscription renewal interface showed two prominent options: "Renew Now" and "Accept Risk"
  • Phrase "Accept Risk" suggested cybersecurity threats if subscription not renewed
  • Interface design created pressure on consumers to continue subscriptions
  • Dark patterns identified: Confirm Shaming, Interface Interference, Trick Question, Forced Action
  • Violated Section 2(28) of Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (misleading advertisement through fear-based representation)
  • Violated Section 2(47) of Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (unfair trade practice through deceptive interface design)
  • Violated Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 Rule 4(3) (unfair trade practice) and Rule 4(9) (impaired explicit consumer consent)
  • Violated Dark Patterns Guidelines, 2023

Regulatory Framework

  • Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 notified on 30 November 2023
  • Guidelines identify 13 dark patterns including Basket Sneaking, Confirm Shaming, Forced Action, Interface Interference, Trick Questions
  • CCPA issued advisory on 5 June 2025 asking e-commerce companies and digital platforms to conduct self-audits
  • Final orders available at: https://jagograhakjago.gov.in/CCPA_Orders/index.html