New Delhi, Aug. 6 -- The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has penalised nine digital platforms, including IndiGo, Zepto, FirstCry, Physics Wallah and SpiceJet, for deploying "dark patterns" - deceptive user interface designs that manipulate consumer choices, Parliament was told. In a written response to a question by Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, the minister of state for consumer affairs BL Verma said his department has strengthened safeguards against unfair digital trade practices. The guidelines under prevention and regulation of dark patterns, 2023, identify and regulate 13 types of deceptive interface designs, including false urgency, basket sneaking, subscription traps, drip pricing, conf...