Online shopping has become an important part of people’s lives today. From clothes to groceries and from flight tickets to hotel booking, most of the work is now being done through mobile apps and websites. But a new report has shocked crores of Indians who shop online. According to the report, Indian consumers are losing Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 28,000 crore every year due to hidden charges and deceptive practices on online platforms.
What are dark patterns?
According to the report “Dark Patterns in India’s Online Marketplaces” by market research firm Datum Intelligence, many online companies use designs and strategies called “dark patterns” to overcharge customers.
These include techniques like hidden charges, surprise fees at checkout, forced add-ons, fake limited-time offers and subscription traps. Their purpose is to motivate customers to make purchases that they might not choose under normal circumstances.
Impact on pocket every month
According to the report, out of about 30.4 crore online buyers in the country, 88 percent are falling prey to these dark patterns. On an average, every consumer has to bear additional expenses of Rs 78 to 87 every month.
The survey also revealed that 63 percent of customers making online payments face additional charges at the final stage of purchase. This figure was 52 percent in 2024, which has now increased to 63 percent.
Which platforms are more concerned?
12 big platforms of e-commerce, quick commerce and online travel sectors were included in the study. In the e-commerce category, Amazon was considered the most trusted platform, while Flipkart was the platform where distrust was recorded more than trust.
MakeMyTrip was considered the safest in the online travel sector, while Cleartrip was counted among the most damaging platforms. Whereas in the Quick Commerce category, the severity score of BigBasket was found to be relatively higher.
Despite awareness, people are becoming victims
The most interesting aspect of the report is that 81 percent of the people said that they are aware of dark patterns, but despite this, 85 percent of the consumers admitted that they have been affected by these deceptive methods at one time or the other.
However, the attitude of consumers now seems to be changing. 74 percent of the people surveyed said that they are ready to pay higher prices for such platforms which provide services in a transparent and honest manner. It is clear that customers now want not just cheap offers but also a reliable and clean shopping experience.
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