The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on edtech company PhysicsWallah (PW) for employing dark patterns on its website and mobile application, raising concerns over unfair trade practices and consumer rights violations.
Dark Patterns in Purchase Process
In its order passed on Monday, the CCPA stated that the Noida-based edtech firm used manipulative interface designs during the purchase process. It noted that a Rs 10 contribution towards the “PW Foundation” was automatically pre-selected during checkout, resulting in additional charges being added to users’ final payment without explicit consent. This practice amounts to ‘basket sneaking’, which has been categorised as a dark pattern.
Emotionally Persuasive Messages
The authority also highlighted that users clicking on the “Know More” option regarding the donation were shown emotionally persuasive messages related to supporting marriages, children’s education, and healthcare for underserved communities. According to the CCPA, such messages “can induce guilt and nudge users to retain the pre-selected donation amount.” The CCPA took up this case suo motu into PhysicsWallah's alleged dark patterns.
Admission and Penalty
The order stated that PhysicsWallah admitted to the authority that the pre-selected donation mechanism remained operational from February 14, 2024 to December 24, 2025, and approximately Rs 2.5 crore was collected from around 21.37 lakh users during this period. The CCPA said, “The platform caters extensively to students preparing for competitive examinations, many of whom are minors or young consumers. In such circumstances, deployment of manipulative interface practices affecting consumer autonomy and informed choice warrants regulatory intervention and imposition of penalty to ensure deterrence and future compliance.”
Concerns Over Free Courses
The authority also raised concern over the company’s handling of “free courses.” The regulator found that users opting for these were required to share personal details such as mobile numbers and email IDs to access courses advertised as free. In some cases, educational content remained inaccessible even after enrolment, further violating consumer rights.
