Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023 – India’s Ambitious Initiative to Empower Online Consumers

Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023

With the rapid growth of e-commerce and online shopping, consumers are often manipulated by deceptive practices known as “dark patterns” on digital platforms. To address this issue and empower consumers, the Government of India has taken a pioneering step by announcing the ‘Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023’.

Overview

Key Takeaways Outline
SectionsDetails
The Problem of Dark Patterns
  • Dark patterns are deceptive practices used by online platforms to mislead users.
  • Common examples include hidden costs, fake countdowns, forced subscriptions.
  • Infringe on consumer rights and trust. Need regulations.
India’s Proactive Approach
  • Consumer Affairs Dept released draft guidelines on dark patterns.
  • Launch of innovative hackathon to find tech solutions.
  • Aims: Promote ethical e-commerce and empower consumers.
Draft Guidelines on Dark Patterns
  • Specifies 10 common dark pattern types.
  • Proposes to expand list by adding more patterns.
  • Invited public feedback till October 2023.
Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon
  • Launch in October 2023; organized with IIT-BHU.
  • Seeks innovative apps/software to accurately detect dark patterns.
  • 4 stages: Registration, intra-institute rounds, inter-institute finale, awards.
Prizes and Participation
  • Cash prizes worth ₹10 lakhs for top teams.
  • Certificates of achievement.
  • Attracts participation from coders, developers, tech students.
Evaluating Inputs to Finalize Guidelines
  • Inputs received: Modify definitions, address privacy, add examples.
  • Will help frame comprehensive guidelines.
  • Rules to promote ethical e-commerce, protect consumers.
Impact on Digital Consumer Rights
  • Pioneering initiative to tackle emerging threat.
  • Innovative solutions and guidelines.
  • Consumers empowered to make informed choices.
  • High standards of trust and transparency in e-commerce.

The Need to Regulate Dark Patterns

Dark patterns refer to design techniques used by online platforms to mislead, coerce, or deceive users into making certain choices for the company’s benefit. For example, hidden costs, fake countdown timers, exaggerated claims, and forced continuity of subscriptions are some common dark patterns.

These patterns erode consumer trust, infringe on rights, and lead to unfair competition. Recognizing the need for regulations, the Department of Consumer Affairs published draft guidelines titled “Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns” on September 7, 2023.

Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023 - India's Ambitious Initiative to Empower Online Consumers
Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023 – India’s Ambitious Initiative to Empower Online Consumers

Draft Guidelines on Dark Patterns Released

The draft guidelines specify 10 common dark patterns such as nagging, confirm shaming, and disguised ads. It also proposes expanding this list by adding new patterns like rogue malware, trick wording, and SaaS billing.

The Department invited public feedback on the draft until October 5, 2023. This consultative approach allows comprehensive guidelines to be framed by incorporating insights from all stakeholders.

Hackathon for Innovative Solutions

Alongside the draft guidelines, the Department launched the ‘Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023’ in collaboration with IIT (Banaras Hindu University) on October 26, 2023.

The hackathon encourages technology professionals, students, and innovators across India to design solutions for detecting and preventing dark patterns. The launch event saw participation from legal institutes, higher education institutes, industry experts, e-commerce companies, and other stakeholders.

Details of the Hackathon

The participants are expected to develop innovative apps, browser extensions, plugins, and software that can identify the use, type, and extent of different dark patterns on e-commerce sites accurately.

The solutions should focus on aspects like user-friendly interfaces, pattern identification accuracy, privacy protection, repository management, cross-browser compatibility, and performance optimization.

The hackathon will be held in four stages – registration, intra-institute rounds, inter-institute finale, and awards distribution on World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, 2024.

Attractive Prizes

The top five teams will be awarded certificates of achievement and cash prizes up to ₹10 lakhs. The first prize is ₹10 lakhs, second prize ₹5 lakhs, third prize ₹3 lakhs, fourth prize ₹2 lakhs, and fifth prize ₹1 lakh.

Such attractive incentives will attract the country’s best coders and developers to create cutting-edge solutions through healthy competition.

Evaluating Feedback and Finalizing Guidelines

The Department of Consumer Affairs received valuable feedback on the draft guidelines from individuals, educational institutes, industry bodies like NASSCOM and FICCI, e-commerce companies, consumer forums, and others.

The suggestions include adding more illustrations, modifying definitions, addressing privacy concerns, and identifying new manipulative patterns like trick questions.

The Department is evaluating these inputs to revise and finalize comprehensive guidelines very soon. The collective aim is to promote ethical e-commerce practices and protect consumer interests.

Final Thoughts

The Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023 is a pioneering effort that mobilizes India’s technology talent to innovate solutions for this emerging issue. Combined with the upcoming guidelines, it will curb unethical practices and establish high standards of transparency and trust in online business.

This proactive approach exemplifies the government’s commitment to digital consumer rights. The innovative tools and regulations emanating from this initiative will equip consumers to make informed choices in the e-commerce space.

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