Daybreak Ever bought a Rs 999 item for Rs 199? Why apps can’t stop using dark patterns
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Dec 16, 2025 Explore the Indian government's urgent challenge to consumer-tech giants over manipulative design tactics. Discover how deceptive UI tricks like fake discounts and guilt pop-ups lure users into spending more. The conversation dives into the relentless growth metrics driving these practices, revealing how smaller players mimic larger platforms. As regulation looms, the hosts discuss compliance gaps and the ethics of user manipulation, shedding light on the fine line between nudging and trickery.
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Dark Patterns Are Built Into Platforms
- Dark patterns are UI tactics that push users into actions that benefit companies more than users.
- They are embedded growth levers on big platforms and not mere one-off tricks.
Examples: Amazon And Indigo Tricks
- Amazon's 'look at this price' button hid monthly charges and fine print that increased costs.
- Indigo used guilt-inducing pop-ups like "no, I will take a risk" to push in-flight insurance.
Pre-Selected Defaults Drive Small Revenue
- BookMyShow pre-selected a ₹1 donation at checkout without clear user choice.
- These small defaults and prompts push users to give up money, data, and control incrementally.