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ASCI study finds 52 out of 53 top Indian apps using deceptive design practices, affecting user autonomy and informed decision-making, with privacy deception being the most prevalent issue.
Key Points
- ASCI study finds 52 of the top 53 Indian apps using deceptive design practices.
- These practices impact user autonomy and informed decision-making.
- The study identified privacy deception as the most common deceptive pattern.
- Problematic apps have been downloaded 21 billion times.
- Health-tech apps lead in deceptive practices, followed by travel booking and e-commerce.
A new study by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has revealed a concerning trend among Indian apps, with almost all of the top apps deploying deceptive design practices that compromise user autonomy and informed decision-making. The study, released on Thursday, scrutinized 53 leading apps and found that 52 of them employ user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) practices designed to mislead or trick users into actions they did not originally intend or desire.
Conducted in collaboration with design firm Parallel HQ, the study highlighted that these problematic apps have amassed a staggering 21 billion downloads, underscoring the widespread impact on consumer behavior. The deceptive design patterns identified in the study include privacy deception, interface interference, drip pricing, and false urgency.
According to the official statement from ASCI, privacy deception emerged as the most prevalent pattern, found in 79% of the analyzed apps. Interface interference was observed in 45% of the apps, drip pricing in 43%, and false urgency in 32%. These deceptive practices not only undermine user trust but also compromise the transparency of the digital ecosystem.
The study provided concrete examples to illustrate the issue. For instance, all the e-commerce apps reviewed made it notably difficult for users to delete their accounts. Additionally, four out of five health-tech apps were found to create artificial time-based pressure or false urgency to rush users into making decisions.
Among the various sectors, health-tech apps exhibited the highest prevalence of deceptive patterns, followed closely by travel booking and e-commerce. Interestingly, gaming and streaming services had the lowest incidence of deceptive practices per app.
Manisha Kapoor, ASCI’s secretary general and chief executive, emphasized the detrimental effects of these practices. “Deceptive patterns harm consumer trust and transparency in the digital ecosystem. We urge organizations to follow conscious design principles that protect the consumer’s right to make an informed choice,” Kapoor stated.
As digital platforms continue to play an integral role in consumers’ lives, the call for ethical design practices becomes increasingly critical. The ASCI study serves as a crucial reminder for app developers and companies to prioritize user autonomy and foster a more trustworthy digital environment.
