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ASCI report finds top Indian apps using misleading ads and dark patterns to deceive consumers.
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Health-tech apps, travel booking, and fintech sector apps are among the top users of dark patterns.
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E-commerce and ed-tech apps like Amazon, Flipkart, Byju’s, and Unacademy also use deceptive design practices.
A recent report by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has revealed that top Indian apps are using misleading ads and dark patterns to deceive consumers. The report analyzed 53 top apps across nine industries and found that 52 of them employed deceptive design practices. These apps have been downloaded over 21 billion times, highlighting the massive consumer impact.
The report identified 12 distinct deceptive patterns, including privacy deception, interface interference, drip pricing, and false urgency. Health-tech apps, travel booking, and fintech sector apps were among the top users of dark patterns. E-commerce and ed-tech apps like Amazon, Flipkart, Byju’s, and Unacademy also used deceptive design practices. The report urges organizations to follow conscious design principles that protect consumer rights and promote transparency in the digital ecosystem.
