New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS): The Centre on Thursday launched "Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023" to encourage design and prototype innovative app or software that can detect dark patterns on e-commerce platforms.

The move comes even as the Centre is in the process of preparing guidelines for curbing dark patterns. The department of consumer affairs in collaboration with IIT (BHU), launched "Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023" here today.

The deliverables of the Hackathon will be to design and prototype innovative app or software based solutions such as; browser extensions, plugins, add-ons, mobile applications etc. that can detect the use, type and scale of dark patterns for e-commerce platforms.

The launch event was attended by law Institutes, higher educational institutes, experts from national and international academia, students, various companies and e-commerce platforms in both physical and online mode.

The Department of Consumer Affairs published draft guidelines on September 7 on "Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns" seeking public comments and feedback until October 5, 2023.

New dark patterns suggested to be included in the list of already 10 specified dark patterns are rogue malwares, trick wording, Saas billing etc.

The objective of the initiative is to provide protection to consumers from all types of unfair trade practices.