Deceptive Patterns in Popular Indian Apps

ASCI Academy and Parallel have identified 12 deceptive practices in leading Indian apps. Their 39-page report, "Study of Deceptive Patterns in Top Indian Apps [^PDF]" published in August 2024, presents a comprehensive analysis of the research on 53 popular Indian apps, offering key insights and detailing the methodology used. They have also created a website, Conscious Products, as a resource for makers to build digital products ethically. 

The 12 Deceptive Patterns in brief with examples from the report - 

Privacy Deception - Tricking users into oversharing personal data

Interface Interference - Misleading users with selective interface information

Nagging - Persistent pop-ups disrupting user tasks

Drip Pricing - Gradually revealing additional costs during purchase

Trick Question - Confusing language to misdirect user actions

Forced Action - Requiring unwanted actions to proceed

Basket Sneaking - Adding items to cart without consent

False Urgency - Creating fake time or stock pressure

Confirm shaming - Using guilt to confirm user actions

Subscription Trap - Tricking users into difficult-to-cancel subscriptions

Disguised Advertisement - Blending advertisements into actual content

Bait & Switch - Promising one outcome, delivering another


One disadvantage of publishing this study is that it may inadvertently encourage apps that were previously unaware of these dubious tactics to adopt them, rationalizing that even popular apps are employing these methods.

Also see - Beware of Dark Patterns

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