The Central Government notified the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026, amending the 2020 Rules to formally integrate the 2023 Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns into binding law, requiring e-commerce entities to conduct an annual self-audit and display a compliance certificate.
The amendment overhauls algorithmic ranking rules, bans misleading search manipulation, mandates sponsored-listing disclosure, tightens grievance timelines to 48-hour acknowledgment and 30-day resolution, and requires sellers to disclose fuller product and transaction details including country of origin and return-shipping costs. The Rules take effect on 1 January 2027.
Legal Background
The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 were made under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and regulate marketplace and inventory e-commerce entities, including their grievance redressal and disclosure duties. The Central Consumer Protection Authority separately issued the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, which identify deceptive design practices such as false urgency, basket sneaking and confirm shaming. The reported amendment is described as bringing those guidelines into the Rules. Readers should check the notified text and its effective date before planning compliance.