The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has fined PhysicsWallah Limited Rs 5 lakh for using deceptive practices that misled consumers on its platform. Additionally, McAfee Software India Private Limited has been penalized Rs 1 lakh for employing misleading subscription renewal tactics. Both companies are instructed to eliminate such practices and ensure consumers can make informed decisions without coercion.
Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, and the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, the CCPA, led by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra, mandated the cessation of these practices. PhysicsWallah’s interface designs were found to manipulate consumers, impacting their decision-making abilities, with automatic donation selections during checkout without explicit consent.
Dark patterns identified on PhysicsWallah’s platform included tactics like “basket sneaking,” emotional messaging, and mandatory data sharing for accessing supposedly free courses. The CCPA highlighted the unethical nature of these practices and directed both companies to discontinue them immediately.
