CCPA Slaps Fines on PhysicsWallah, McAfee for 'Dark Pattern' Practices

PhysicsWallah, McAfee India fined for digital manipulation, deceptive user interface - The Tribune

Central Consumer Protection Authority has urged both the companies to dismantle digital tactics designed to trick users into spending money or giving away dat.

India's consumer watchdog fines PhysicsWallah, McAfee for using ‘dark patterns’ to influence consumer choices

The consumer watchdog has penalised the two companies over auto-added donations, data-sharing requirements and fear-based subscription prompts as scrutiny of manipulative online design practices intensifies.

CCPA slaps fines on PhysicsWallah, McAfee for 'Dark Pattern' practices

India's consumer watchdog has fined edtech firm PhysicsWallah and cybersecurity company McAfee. They were found using deceptive interface designs, known as dark patterns. These tricks manipulated users into unintended actions. PhysicsWallah faces a Rs 5 lakh penalty, while McAfee is fined Rs 1 lakh. Both companies must immediately remove these practices from their platforms.

PhysicsWallah And McAfee Fined Over 'Deceptive' Online Tricks Used On Customers

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has penalised edtech firm PhysicsWallah five lakh rupees and cybersecurity company McAfee one lakh rupees for using manipulative digital designs known as "dark patterns."

CCPA fines PhysicsWallah and McAfee over ‘dark pattern’ practices

New Delhi: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed penalties on edtech company PhysicsWallah and cybersecurity firm McAfee Software India for using deceptive interface designs, commonly referred to as "dark patterns", that allegedly influenced users into taking actions they may not have otherwise chosen. According to a statement issued by the regulator, PhysicsWallah has been fined Rs 5 lakh, while McAfee Software India has …

Consumer protection authority fines PhysicsWallah and McAfee for dark patterns

CCPA’s McAfee order can be accessed here. CCPA’s PhysicsWallah order can be accessed here. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) fined PhysicsWallah (PW) Limited Rs 5,00,000 on June 1, 2026 and McAfee Software India Private Limited Rs 1,00,000 on May 20, 2026 for deploying dark patterns prohibited under the 2023 dark patterns guidelines. Dark patterns are interface designs that trick or nudge users into choices they did not intend to …