Centre Launches 'Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023' to Combat Deceptive Practices in E-Commerce

In a pioneering move, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) in India, in partnership with IIT-BHU, has launched the ‘Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023.’ This initiative aims to harness the collective power of hackers to develop cutting-edge solutions that protect consumers from the deceptive practices of dark patterns in e-commerce platforms.

What Are Dark Patterns?

Dark patterns are deceptive design practices in user interface/user experience interactions across digital platforms, designed to mislead or trick users into unintended actions.

Hackathon Details

The hackathon will run until February 17, 2024, and is structured into four levels.
The winning solution must utilize artificial intelligence for accurate pattern detection and should be compatible across various web browsers.
It is encouraged to create user-friendly browser extensions, plugins, add-ons, mobile applications, and other software solutions.

Objective of the Hackathon

The primary goal of this initiative is to protect consumers from various forms of unfair trade practices.
The hackathon seeks to address not only the existing ten identified dark patterns but also new ones like Rogue Malwares, Trick Wording, and Saas Billing.

Hackathon Stages

Round 1: Registration

Teams and host institutes register to participate in the hackathon.

Round 2: Intra Institute DPBH 2023

Intra-institute competitions are organized to select top solutions.

Round 3: Inter Institute DPBH 2023

Institutes compete against each other to further refine and develop innovative solutions.

Round 4: Award Distribution

On World Consumer Rights Day, awards and prizes will be distributed to the winning teams.

Prizes

The top five teams will receive cash prizes as follows:

1st Prize: INR 10 lakhs
2nd Prize: INR 5 lakhs
3rd Prize: INR 3 lakhs
4th Prize: INR 2 lakhs
5th Prize: INR 1 lakh

Global Significance

India is the first country to take concrete steps in tackling dark patterns, showcasing a commitment to consumer protection.

Regulation Efforts

The DoCA previously solicited public comments on draft guidelines for preventing and regulating dark patterns, which identified ten such patterns.
The hackathon’s deliverables will contribute to the creation of effective tools to combat these deceptive practices in the e-commerce industry.

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