Digital
ASCI reveals dark patterns used by digital platforms that cause consumer harm
Mumbai: An extensive discussion paper released by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), the self-regulatory body of the advertising industry, has highlighted how UI/UX deployed by digital platforms could manipulate consumer choices and consumption patterns.
According to the paper, these manipulative tactics or dark patterns come in many forms and are present across multiple platforms. Practices like drip pricing, trick questions, nagging, disguised ads, bait and switch, among others, are just some of the commonly found dark patterns on the internet.
With online commerce growing rapidly, consumers’ vulnerability to such practices is increasing. In FY 2021-22, 29 per cent of the advertisements processed by ASCI were disguised by influencers as regular content, which is also a part of dark patterns in advertising. Categories found to be major violators were cryptocurrency, personal care, fashion and e-commerce.
Taking note of the growing global concerns around such practices, ASCI formed a 12-member task force comprising stakeholders from different tech platforms, legal experts, civil society and domain experts. The task force examined key issues related to dark patterns to understand which of these practices potentially violate the ASCI code which inter-alia states: “Advertisements shall not be framed so as to abuse the trust of consumers or exploit their lack of experience or knowledge.”
Not all dark patterns fall under the domain of advertising and hence may be out of ASCI’s remit, however, they could amount to unfair trade practices which compromise consumer interest. ASCI hopes that in the near future, such dark patterns will be addressed by the regulators as they see appropriate in the interest of consumer protection.
ASCI has outlined 4 key practices that it intends to address through expanding its code: namely drip pricing, bait and switch, false urgency and disguised advertising. ASCI has invited comments from all stakeholders and the members of the public on this proposed expansion of the ASCI code. One could send their comments to contact@ascionline.in; the last date to receive these comments is 31 December.
ASCI CEO and secretary general Manisha Kapoor said, “There is a thin line between dark patterns and legitimate targeting and persuasion tactics. Dark patterns cause consumer harm and with the ever-increasing presence of advertising on digital platforms, these are now under sharp scrutiny of ad-regulators around the world. Eventually dark patterns ruin consumer experience and increase abandonments, and make the consumer suspicious of the online space. By choosing fair practices that enhance both consumer and shareholder value, brands can develop sustainable ways of consumer engagement. ASCI continues its investment in technology to track and monitor digital advertising to help keep the online experience safe for consumers.”
The paper cites examples provided by UX experts of alternative practices that are fair to consumers and that can be adopted by brands. These alternatives can clean up the online space of malicious patterns and build consumer confidence in the digital world.
Digital
BSE revamps website with real-time data, mobile-first design, smart search
New platform brings cleaner layout, live market trackers and easier navigation
MUMBAI: BSE has rolled out a major redesign of its official website, aiming to make market data faster to access and easier to navigate for both seasoned traders and new-age retail investors.
The updated platform introduces a cleaner, more modern interface, replacing the earlier dense and text-heavy layout with a streamlined design. Navigation has been simplified with clearly segmented menus across markets, corporates, public issues, members, investment advisers and research analysts, helping users find information without the usual maze of links.
At the top, a refreshed header now offers quick access to notices, media releases, trading holidays and career updates. A centralised search bar allows users to instantly locate securities using names, codes, IDs or ISINs, cutting down the time spent digging through pages. For those still attached to the old layout, a dedicated toggle lets users switch back during the transition period.
A key highlight of the revamp is the sharper focus on real-time market data. A live ticker band now runs across the site, offering updates on indices including the SENSEX and BANKEX, alongside pre-open market signals. The homepage also features interactive charts, giving users a quick visual read of market trends without needing to navigate deeper.
Market activity sections such as top gainers, losers, turnover stocks and block deals have been reorganised into tabbed formats, making them more intuitive and easier to scan. Meanwhile, specialised areas like index derivatives and corporate data have been upgraded with better visualisation tools, offering clearer insights into contracts, turnover, open interest and company fundamentals.
The overhaul also reflects a strong mobile-first approach. With a growing number of investors tracking markets on their phones, the new site is fully responsive, ensuring charts and data tables remain readable and interactive across devices.
With this redesign, BSE appears to be aligning its digital presence with the needs of a more tech-savvy investor base, where speed, clarity and usability are just as critical as the data itself.
