Many digital applications operate in grey areas

One of the rights guaranteed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 is the right to be informed — about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods, products or services. Deceptive patterns used by digital platforms are classified as “unfair trade practices” under this law. Section 89 of the Act states that violation of the Central Consumer Protection Authority’s (CCPA) guidelines is a punishable offence. Any manufacturer or service provider responsible for a false or misleading advertisement that harms consumer interest can face imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Repeat offenders can be punished with up to five years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh. Read Article