# E-commerce & consumer protection rules: Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 and dark pattern guidelines

> Disclosure, grievance and fair-practice duties for e-commerce platforms and sellers in India.

URL: https://securei3.com/standards/india-ecommerce-rules/
Category: India regulations: Law or regulation
Provider: Secure iQube (independent consultancy; ISO certificates are issued by accredited certification bodies; SOC and ISAE reports by licensed CPA and audit firms, which Secure iQube can arrange through partner firms)


The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 require e-commerce entities to appoint a grievance officer and a nodal contact, display seller and product information, handle complaints within set timelines and avoid unfair trade practices. Guidelines issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority in 2023 prohibit specified dark patterns.

We review platform journeys, grievance processes and disclosures, and align consent flows with the DPDP Act.

## Who it is for

- Marketplaces and inventory e-commerce platforms
- D2C brands and sellers

## Benefits

- Fewer consumer complaints and notices
- Journeys free of dark patterns

## How Secure iQube helps

1. **Applicability and scoping**: Confirm whether and how the law applies to you, entities, data, systems, roles and territories.
2. **Data and process mapping**: Build a record of processing or control inventory so obligations can be tied to real systems and owners.
3. **Gap assessment**: Measure current practice against each obligation and rank the gaps by legal and business risk.
4. **Remediation roadmap**: Policies, notices, contracts, technical controls and governance, sequenced so the highest risks close first.
5. **Evidence and ongoing monitoring**: A compliance calendar, metrics and periodic reviews so you can demonstrate compliance to a regulator or customer at any time.

## Frequently asked questions

### What are dark patterns?

Deceptive design practices such as false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming and forced action that manipulate users. The 2023 guidelines list specified dark patterns that are prohibited.

Related: https://securei3.com/standards/india-dpdp/, https://securei3.com/standards/iso-10002/

Contact: https://securei3.com/contact/: info@securei3.com