The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of one lakh rupees on SpiceJet Limited for adopting deceptive design practices, commonly known as dark patterns, on its flight booking platform. The Authority noted that consumers were enrolled in the Spice Club Loyalty Programme automatically through a pre-ticked checkbox. It also observed that consumers were deemed to have consented to receive promotional messages because the default option was pre-selected, without requiring any explicit action from them. Even after CCPA issued notice, the company changed the earlier method to another pre-ticked checkbox for future messages through text messages, WhatsApp and email, continuing the same practice in a different form.
The Authority observed that such practices impair consumer autonomy, undermine informed decision-making and are inconsistent with the principles of fair and transparent consumer engagement.
During the proceedings, SpiceJet said, the issue happened because of a technical error. The company was asked to give an undertaking confirming that the necessary corrective steps had been taken and would continue permanently.
