Latest news with #DepartmentofConsumerAffairs
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
OTT platforms come under scrutiny as dark patterns erode consumer trust
Consumers in India are increasingly flagging design practices on over-the-top (OTT) platforms that make the user experience less transparent, say industry executives and market observers. Frequent complaints include unexpected rental charges, ads during paid subscriptions and difficult cancellations. These tactics, commonly referred to as dark patterns , can mislead users into continuing subscriptions, sharing personal data, or paying extra charges not clearly disclosed. Some users also report being asked to install separate apps or re-register to access certain content. A LocalCircles study of over 95,000 responses from OTT users identified six dominant dark patterns: interface interference, forced action , bait and switch, drip pricing, subscription traps and SaaS billing. Users cited hidden cancel buttons, surprise rental fees, unclear final pricing and charges even after cancellation. To tackle these concerns, the Department of Consumer Affairs introduced Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns in 2023, listing 13 such practices, including false urgency, confirm shaming, basket sneaking, disguised ads, nagging, trick wording and rogue malwares. While the union government's guidelines are aimed at improving digital transparency , some OTT platforms argue they apply only to e-commerce services. 'Dark patterns like forced action, where ads are added to a plan that was earlier ad-free, or subscriptions with difficult cancellation processes lead to a direct erosion of consumer trust ,' said Sachin Taparia, founder of LocalCircles. 'The need of the hour is for all OTT platforms to assess which of the 13 dark patterns exist on their platforms and resolve them at the earliest. Such a move will improve transparency, and platforms that act swiftly will gain a long-term advantage over their competitors,' he added. Experts say greater clarity and enforcement are needed as streaming becomes the primary mode of content consumption in India. The ministry of information and broadcasting listed 69 OTT platforms in the country, including Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, ZEE5 and SonyLIV. 'India's regulatory approach is rapidly evolving from a reactive stance to a proactive one. The CCPA (Central Consumer Protection Authority) has taken the lead by defining and warning against dark patterns, and by holding platforms—including OTT services—accountable. MeitY's (ministry of electronics and information technology) policies and Trai's (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) oversight play supporting roles in ensuring that digital marketplaces are fair and that no regulatory gaps allow these practices to persist unchecked,' said Consumer Protection Association president Kashyapnath N Upadhyay. 'While enforcement is still ramping up and some platforms are dragging their feet by claiming the guidelines are not binding, the trajectory is clear: deceptive design in OTT subscriptions is on the regulators' radar, and India is moving towards a regime of greater transparency and stronger consumer rights online,' he added.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Centre steps up crackdown on substandard helmets; urges strict BIS enforcement for road safety
The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) have urged consumers across the country to use only BIS-certified helmets. Additionally, the Department has called for strict enforcement against the manufacture or sale of helmets without BIS certification , a press release said. With over 21 crore two-wheelers on Indian roads, rider safety is paramount. While wearing a helmet is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, its effectiveness depends on quality. Sub-standard helmets compromise protection and defeat their purpose. To address this, a Quality Control Order has been in force since 2021, mandating ISI-marked helmets certified under BIS standards (IS 4151:2015) for all two-wheeler riders. As of June 2025, there are 176 manufacturers across India holding valid BIS licences for protective helmets. The Department has observed that many helmets sold on roadsides lack the mandatory BIS certification, posing significant risks to consumers and numerous fatalities in road accidents. Therefore, there is an urgent need to tackle this issue head-on. To enforce quality standards, BIS conducts regular factory and market surveillance. In the last financial year, over 500 helmet samples were tested and more than 30 search-and-seizure operations were carried out for misuse of the BIS Standard Mark. In one Delhi operation, over 2,500 non-compliant helmets were seized from nine manufacturers with expired or cancelled licences. Similar action at 17 retail and roadside locations led to the seizure of around 500 substandard helmets, with legal proceedings underway. To enhance road safety and protect consumers, the Department of Consumer Affairs had written to District Collectors (DCs) and District Magistrates (DMs) to launch a nationwide campaign targeting manufacturers and retailers selling non-compliant helmets. This initiative was a response to growing concerns over helmet quality and their critical role in safeguarding lives on the road. The Department urged district officials to personally oversee the enforcement of the Quality Control Order and integrate the drive with existing road safety campaigns. BIS branch offices were instructed to coordinate with district administrations and police departments to support the initiative. The campaign saw encouraging results, particularly in the Delhi NCR region, and is now being expanded to other parts of the country. Earlier this year, the BIS Chennai team conducted a roadshow distributing ISI-marked helmets and held an awareness drive in collaboration with local traffic authorities to promote adherence to safety standards. The campaign is also being amplified via media, social channels, and civil society partnerships. To empower consumers, BIS has enabled verification of licensed helmet manufacturers on the BIS Care App and portal, and provided options for lodging complaints. As part of a national awareness initiative, BIS's 'Quality Connect' campaign and 'Manak Mitra' volunteers are actively educating consumers on mandatory certification for helmets and other safety products. The Department of Consumer Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to consumer safety by removing substandard helmets from the market and promoting BIS-certified protective gear to reduce preventable road accident fatalities.
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- India Gazette
Centre urges consumers to use only Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certified helmets for safety
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) appeal to consumers across the country to use only BIS-certified helmets. Additionally, the Department has called for strict enforcement against the manufacture or sale of helmets without BIS certification, a press release said With over 21 crore two-wheelers on Indian roads, rider safety is paramount. While wearing a helmet is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, its effectiveness depends on quality. Sub-standard helmets compromise protection and defeat their purpose. To address this, a Quality Control Order has been in force since 2021, mandating ISI-marked helmets certified under BIS standards (IS 4151:2015) for all two-wheeler riders. As of June 2025, there are 176 manufacturers across India holding valid BIS licenses for protective helmets. The Department has observed that many helmets sold on roadsides lack the mandatory BIS certification, posing significant risks to consumers and numerous fatalities in road accidents. Therefore, there is an urgent need to tackle this issue head-on. To enforce quality standards, BIS conducts regular factory and market surveillance. In the last financial year, over 500 helmet samples were tested and more than 30 search-and-seizure operations were carried out for misuse of the BIS Standard Mark. In one Delhi operation, over 2,500 non-compliant helmets were seized from nine manufacturers with expired or cancelled licences. Similar action at 17 retail and roadside locations led to the seizure of around 500 substandard helmets, with legal proceedings underway. In a bid to enhance road safety and protect consumers from substandard helmets, the Department of Consumer Affairs had written to District Collectors (DCs) and District Magistrates (DMs) to launch a nationwide campaign targeting manufacturers and retailers who sell non-compliant helmets for two-wheeler riders. This initiative was a response to the growing concerns over the quality of helmets available in the market and their critical role in safeguarding lives on the road. The Department had urged district officials to take a personal interest in this matter and launch a special campaign to ensure the enforcement of the Quality Control Order, integrating the drive with existing road safety campaigns to maximise its impact. BIS branch offices were instructed to engage continuously with district administrations and police departments to support this campaign. The results were encouraging, particularly in the Delhi NCR region, and the campaign is spreading to other regions too. Earlier this year, BIS Chennai team organised a successful roadshow distributing ISI-marked helmets and conducted an awareness campaign in partnership with local traffic authorities to promote adherence to safety regulations. The campaign is amplified through various media channels, social media outreach, and civil society collaborations, raising awareness about safety through ISI-marked Protective helmets. Making it convenient for consumers, BIS has added a provision on the BIS Care App and BIS portal to check whether a helmet manufacturer is licensed or not, and also allows users to lodge a complaint on the BIS Care App. As part of a nationwide consumer awareness initiative, BIS organises the Quality Connect campaign, where 'Manak Mitra' volunteers are engaging directly with consumers to provide information on mandatory certification for helmets and other products. The Department of Consumer Affairs underscores the government's commitment to consumer protection and road safety. By removing sub-standard helmets from the market, the Department aims to prevent avoidable road accident fatalities and promote high-quality safety gear. (ANI)
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Centre asks States to crack down on manufacturers selling sub-standard helmets
The Centre has asked States to take strict action on manufacturers and retailers selling sub-standard helmets to ensure the safety of two-wheeler riders. "The Department of Consumer Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) appeal to consumers across the country to use only BIS-certified helmets," an official statement said on Saturday (July 5, 2025). The department also called for strict enforcement against the manufacture or sale of helmets without BIS certification, it added. "With over 21 crore two-wheelers on Indian roads, rider safety is paramount," the department said, adding that wearing a helmet is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Fatal head injuries are declining with helmet use, but there is still a long way to go, say doctors It pointed out that the sale of sub-standard helmets compromises safety. BIS standards A Quality Control Order has been in force since 2021, mandating ISI-marked helmets certified under BIS standards for all two-wheeler riders. As of June 2025, there are 176 manufacturers across India holding valid BIS licenses for protective helmets. "The Department has observed that many helmets sold on roadsides lack the mandatory BIS certification, posing significant risks to consumers and numerous fatalities in road accidents," the statement said. To enforce quality standards, the BIS conducts regular factory and market surveillance. Misuse of standard mark During the last fiscal year, more than 500 helmet samples were tested, and more than 30 search-and-seizure operations were carried out for misuse of the BIS Standard Mark. In one Delhi operation, over 2,500 non-compliant helmets were seized from 9 manufacturers with expired or cancelled licences. Similar action at 17 retail and roadside locations led to the seizure of around 500 substandard helmets. Earlier, the Department of Consumer Affairs had written to District Collectors (DCs) and District Magistrates (DMs) to launch a nationwide campaign and take stern action against manufacturers and retailers who sell non-compliant helmets for two-wheeler riders. BIS branch offices were instructed to engage continuously with district administrations and police departments to support this campaign.
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Business Standard
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Centre asks states to act against makers selling sub-standard helmets
The department also called for strict enforcement against the manufacture or sale of helmets without BIS certification Press Trust of India New Delhi The Centre has asked states to take strict action on manufacturers and retailers selling sub-standard helmets to ensure the safety of two-wheeler riders. "The Department of Consumer Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) appeal to consumers across the country to use only BIS-certified helmets," an official statement said on Saturday. The department also called for strict enforcement against the manufacture or sale of helmets without BIS certification, it added. "With over 21 crore two-wheelers on Indian roads, rider safety is paramount," the department said, adding that wearing a helmet is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It pointed out that the sale of sub-standard helmets compromises safety. A Quality Control Order has been in force since 2021, mandating ISI-marked helmets certified under BIS standards for all two-wheeler riders. As of June 2025, there are 176 manufacturers across India holding valid BIS licenses for protective helmets. "The Department has observed that many helmets sold on roadsides lack the mandatory BIS certification, posing significant risks to consumers and numerous fatalities in road accidents," the statement said. To enforce quality standards, the BIS conducts regular factory and market surveillance. During the last fiscal year, more than 500 helmet samples were tested, and more than 30 search-and-seizure operations were carried out for misuse of the BIS Standard Mark. In one Delhi operation, over 2,500 non-compliant helmets were seized from 9 manufacturers with expired or cancelled licences. Similar action at 17 retail and roadside locations led to the seizure of around 500 substandard helmets. Earlier, the Department of Consumer Affairs had written to District Collectors (DCs) and District Magistrates (DMs) to launch a nationwide campaign and take stern action against manufacturers and retailers who sell non-compliant helmets for two-wheeler riders. BIS branch offices were instructed to engage continuously with district administrations and police departments to support this campaign. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
