Think you’re getting the best deal? 75% of online shoppers are being secretly overcharged, shows study

Dark patterns, deceptive design tactics that mislead or exploit consumers, continue to plague India’s major eCommerce marketplaces. A LocalCircles audit, based on 77,000 responses from 334 districts, found that 97% of leading platforms employ at least one dark pattern. Flipkart, Amazon, Tata Neu, Jiomart, and Myntra were flagged, while Meesho emerged as the only platform free of such manipulative designs. Advertisement

The findings coincide with Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi confirming an investigation into hidden Cash-on-Delivery (COD) charges, highlighting serious violations of transparency and fair-trade norms. The Ministry will assess whether extra charges were clearly disclosed and at what stage of the purchase process. Platforms found in violation of dark pattern guidelin