CCPA directs e-commerce to conduct self-audits

In a move to protect online shoppersfrom digital manipulation, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has directed all e-commerce platforms to conduct self-audits within three months to identify and eliminate “dark patterns”— deceptive design tricks that mislead users into making unintended purchases or subscriptions.

Dark patterns are design elements used on websites and apps to mislead or coerce users intomaking unintended choices. These practices erode consumer trust, distort fair market dynamics, and pose a serious threat to the integrity of digital commerce.