HURRY! THIS BLOG POST MAY NOT BE HERE TOMORROW!! - Understanding Dark Patterns and India's Regulatory Response
INTRODUCTION In today's digital age, the internet has become an indispensable part of everyday life. Whether it is ordering food after a long day, purchasing groceries with a few taps on a smartphone, or shopping for clothes and electronics from the comfort of home, we increasingly rely on online platforms for convenience, speed, offers and choice. You might have encountered some of these scenarios that I illustrate below. While browsing an e-commerce platform for a new shirt or pair of shoes, you may have come across messages such as "Only 1 item left in stock!" "27 people are viewing this product right now!" or a countdown timer warning that a discount will expire within minutes. Concerned that you might miss out on a good deal, you quickly complete the purchase. Later, you may access the site again, and the same messages persist, and it would make you wonder whether the urgency was genuine at all. Or perhaps you may be ordering dinner through a food delive...