{"id":390965,"date":"2026-07-21T13:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T07:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=390965"},"modified":"2026-07-21T12:49:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T07:19:36","slug":"ccpa-directs-spicejet-to-pay-1-lakh-fine-for-using-dark-patterns-on-booking-platform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/07\/21\/ccpa-directs-spicejet-to-pay-1-lakh-fine-for-using-dark-patterns-on-booking-platform\/","title":{"rendered":"Trick Question, Forced Action, Interface Interference: CCPA Identifies Three Dark Patterns on SpiceJet’s Booking Platform, Imposes ₹1 Lakh Penalty"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Central Consumer Protection Authority:<\/span> In a suo motu case against SpiceJet for “use of dark patterns resulting in unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements, and violation of consumer rights”, the Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra held that the impugned interface deployed multiple prohibited dark patterns, resulting in unfair trade practices, misleading representations and impairment of consumer choice and informed decision-making.<\/span><\/p>\n

The CCPA directed SpiceJet to ensure that the corrective measures implemented on its platform were maintained continuously and not reverted in the future; to remain compliant with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019<\/a>, the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020<\/a>, and the Dark Patterns Guidelines, 2023; and imposed a penalty of ₹1,00,000.<\/p>\n

Also Read: CCPA penalises Rapido for its “Auto in 5 min or get ₹ 50” ad | SCC Times<\/a><\/p>\n

Background<\/p>\n

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) initiated suo motu proceedings against SpiceJet Ltd. after noticing alleged deceptive design practices on its website. Upon a prima facie examination, the CCPA observed that during the flight booking process, consumers were presented with a pre-ticked checkbox enrolling them in the SpiceClub Loyalty Program, thereby automatically enrolling them without obtaining their express consent. CCPA further observed that another checkbox, which was not pre-ticked, required consumers to actively opt out if they did not wish to receive promotional communications and newsletters, resulting in automatic subscription unless the consumer specifically declined.<\/p>\n

The CCPA was of the prima facie view that these practices impaired consumers’ freedom of choice and autonomy by influencing their decisions through deceptive interface design. Accordingly, in exercise of its powers under Sections 18<\/a> and 19<\/a>, Consumer Protection Act, 2019<\/a>, the CCPA conducted a preliminary inquiry and found a prima facie case of violation of consumer rights and adoption of unfair trade practices.<\/p>\n

The CCPA issued a notice to SpiceJet Ltd. calling upon it to respond to the allegations of deceptive design practices. Despite reminders, the airline submitted its response stating that it had not indulged in any deceptive or unfair trade practices, that its website was designed to provide a customer-friendly experience, and that the necessary changes had already been incorporated.<\/p>\n

Being satisfied that a prima facie case existed, the CCPA, in exercise of its powers under Section 19(1)<\/a>, Consumer Protection Act, 2019<\/a>, referred the matter to the Director General (Investigation) for a detailed investigation.<\/p>\n

Findings of Director General (Investigation)<\/p>\n

The DG (Investigation) found that although SpiceJet had removed the pre-ticked checkbox enrolling consumers in its SpiceClub Loyalty Program, it had replaced the earlier unticked checkbox relating to promotional communications with a pre-ticked checkbox indicating consumers’ preference to receive future communications and newsletters via text, WhatsApp and email.<\/p>\n

The investigation concluded that, despite the modifications, the airline continued to automatically make decisions on behalf of consumers regarding promotional communications, amounting to a potential violation of Section 2(28) and (47)<\/a>, Consumer Protection Act, 2019<\/a>, read with Rule 4(3), Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The DG further found that the continued use of a pre-ticked checkbox for obtaining consumers’ consent to receive promotional communications amounted to a deceptive design practice that impaired consumer autonomy, decision-making and choice. The DG observed that such conduct failed to comply with Clause 2(e<\/span>) of the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, which defines “dark patterns” as deceptive design practices intended to mislead or trick consumers into making unintended choices.<\/p>\n

The investigation concluded that, despite claiming to have rectified the impugned practices, SpiceJet continued to automatically obtain consumers’ consent for receiving promotional communications through pre-ticked checkboxes. The Director General also found that the airline had failed to comply with Clause 2(b<\/span>) of the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, by manipulating consumers into consenting without their explicit and informed choice on its e-commerce platform.<\/p>\n

Also Read: CCPA imposes Rs 5 Lakh penalty on Drishti IAS over misleading ad | SCC Times<\/a><\/p>\n

Analysis, Findings and Decision<\/p>\n

At the outset, the CCPA looked at the definition of “unfair trade practice” under Section 2(47)<\/a>, Consumer Protection Act, 2019<\/a>, which is inclusive in nature and extends to any unfair or deceptive practice that impairs consumer choice, influences consumer decision-making through unfair means or induces consumers into unintended transactions. It held that SpiceJet’s use of pre-ticked checkboxes for enrolment in its loyalty programme and for receiving promotional communications secured consumer consent without requiring an active and informed choice, thereby amounting to an unfair trade practice under Section 2(47)<\/a> of the Act<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The CCPA further held that the interface design created a misleading impression that consumers had consciously opted for the loyalty programme and promotional communications. By presuming consent through default selections instead of obtaining explicit and affirmative consent, the airline conveyed an implied representation regarding consumers’ willingness to avail such services. The Authority held that the practice amounted to a misleading advertisement under Section 2(28)<\/a>(iii<\/span>) of the Act<\/a>, as it conveyed an implied representation constituting an unfair trade practice.<\/p>\n

The Authority also held that the impugned practice imposed an unreasonable condition upon consumers by altering their rights and obligations without their explicit consent, thereby attracting Section 2(46)(vi<\/span>)<\/a> of the Act<\/a> relating to unfair contracts.<\/p>\n

Referring to the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020<\/a>, the CCPA observed that e-commerce entities are required to obtain consumer consent through explicit, informed and affirmative action. It held that SpiceJet’s use of pre-selected enrolment options and communication preferences impaired consumer choice and violated Rule 4(9), which expressly prohibits recording consumer consent through pre-ticked checkboxes. The Authority further noted that the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, were issued after extensive consultations with stakeholders to curb manipulative interface designs in digital marketplaces.<\/p>\n

The CCPA observed that SpiceJet’s interface employed multiple dark patterns prohibited under the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023. It held that the negatively worded checkbox relating to promotional communications amounted to a “Trick Question”, as it was capable of confusing consumers and misdirecting them from making their intended choice. The Authority further held that the pre-ticked checkbox for enrolment in the SpiceClub Loyalty Program constituted “Forced Action”, as consumers were required to actively opt out of a service they had not consciously chosen. It also found that the interface amounted to “Interface Interference” by presenting enrolment and promotional communications as the default option, thereby favouring the company’s preferred outcome over a neutral consumer choice.<\/p>\n

Accordingly, the CCPA held that the impugned interface deployed multiple prohibited dark patterns, resulting in unfair trade practices, misleading representations and impairment of consumer choice and informed decision-making.<\/p>\n

After considering the investigation report, the written submissions and the submissions advanced during the hearings, the CCPA held that SpiceJet had violated:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Section 2(28), (46) and (47)<\/a>, Consumer Protection Act, 2019<\/a>;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020<\/a>; and<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The CCPA directed SpiceJet to,<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      ensure that the corrective measures implemented on its platform were maintained continuously and not reverted in future,<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \n

      remain compliant with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019<\/a>, the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020<\/a>, and the Dark Patterns Guidelines, 2023,<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    3. \n

      pay a penalty of ₹1,00,000,<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    4. \n

      submit a compliance report within 15 days, pertaining to implementation of corrective measures and payment of penalty.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Also Read: Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 | SCC Times<\/a><\/p>\n

      [In the matter of: Use of dark patterns resulting in unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements, and violation of consumer rights by SpiceJet Ltd.<\/span>, Case No. CCPA-2\/19\/2024-CCPA, issued on 14-7-2026<\/span>]<\/p>\n\n

      Advocates who appeared in this case:<\/p>\n

      On behalf of SpiceJet Limited:<\/span> Jasbir Chaudhary, AR of the company<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      CCPA observed that SpiceJet designed its interface in a manner that favoured enrolment into the SpiceClub Loyalty Program and subscription to promotional communications through pre-selected options, resulting in unfair trade practices, misleading representations and impairment of consumer choice and informed decision-making.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67011,"featured_media":390966,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,11],"tags":[50014,42625,110366,110367,110371,37027,110368,50825,64842,110372,110373,64843,50081,110370,110365,110369,53060,3684],"class_list":["post-390965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casebriefs","category-tribunals_commissions_regulatorybodies","tag-ccpa","tag-central-consumer-protection-authority","tag-chief-commissioner-nidhi-khare","tag-commissioner-anupam-mishra","tag-consumer-protection-e-commerce-rules-2020","tag-consumer-protection-act-2019","tag-consumer-rights-violation","tag-dark-patterns","tag-forced-action","tag-guidelines-for-prevention-and-regulation-of-dark-patterns-2023","tag-indian-airlines","tag-interface-interference","tag-misleading-advertisements","tag-spiceclub-loyalty-program","tag-spicejet-airlines","tag-trick-question","tag-unfair-contract","tag-unfair_trade_practices"],"yoast_head":"\nCCPA 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