Policy · Commerce & Consumer Brands

BigBasket completes self-audit on dark patterns

By Startup Enthusiast · 6 October 2025

What they do

BigBasket is a Tata-owned online grocery and quick commerce platform

It completed a self-audit of its interface for dark patterns and submitted the report to the consumer affairs ministry

The audit follows a June 2025 CCPA directive asking all ecommerce platforms to remove deceptive design practices

BigBasket completed a self-audit of its quick commerce platform for dark patterns.
Dark patterns are deceptive design practices that trick users into doing things they did not intend.
Examples include false urgency alerts, hidden costs at checkout, subscription traps, and disguised ads.
The audit report was submitted to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
The CCPA (Central Consumer Protection Authority) had issued guidelines in 2023 and 2025 to curb such practices.
In June 2025, the CCPA directed all ecommerce platforms to self-audit within three months and remove dark patterns.
BigBasket's legal counsel Rohit Subramanian commented on the audit.

The CCPA guidelines aim to protect consumers from unfair trade practices that undermine their choice.
All ecommerce platforms in India were required to check their interfaces for dark patterns.
BigBasket's compliance shows its adherence to the regulatory directive.

BigBasket is a Tata group company offering online grocery and quick commerce services.
It delivers over 20,000 products across categories like groceries, fresh produce, medicines, fashion, electronics, and beauty.
The platform operates in over 60 cities with more than 700 dark stores (small warehouses for quick delivery).
It offers a 10-minute delivery service.