Have you ever subscribed yourself to a free trial programme online by giving your debit card numbers and later lost money, because you forgot to unsubscribe the programme? Do not worry any more, the Government have come up with the solution.
The Ministry of Union Consumer Affair have come up with an initiative in order to end all forms of online deceptive cultures.
We as a consumer have always been prone to one or the other forms of abuse online. With or without our acknowledgement our biodata online is taken by various platforms. A random advertisement in between a news page, an unwanted pop ups obstructing the article read, makes it impossible for the consumers to proceed further with their action of reading or viewing a particular content. Several times, we have cursed the portals for such interruptions. But the only choice we are left with is, either open and look and the pop ups or cancel it. Sometimes, the process to cancel the pop up too is irritating. It will end up in taking us to some other sites, indirectly inviting us into the trouble of privacy threat.
All these forms of interface designs which manipulates the users in doing what they do not intend to are known as ‘Dark Patters or deceptive designs’. The Minister of Union Consumer Affairs have called out the public to reach out to National Consumer Affairs helpline in order to put an end to dark patterns.
An appreciable move by the Ministry towards the consumers, who were ignorant about such dark patterns and all its evil effects which threatened human liberty and privacy. May the move be spread among the masses and initiations be taken by the public to reach out to the authorities.