Dark patterns net Indian marketplaces up to Rs 28,000 cr a year; all 12 tracked platforms non-compliant

Datum Intelligence flags Nykaa (B-Index 99), BigBasket (98.5) and Cleartrip (85.2) as worst offenders. Report says 85% of shoppers were misled and 62% of quick-commerce users lost money, while CCPA's Rs 50 lakh penalty cap leaves enforcement toothless against Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, MakeMyTrip and others.

— Source publishedThu, 11 Jun, 2026, 11:11 IST·First seen Thu, 11 Jun, 2026, 11:13 IST·Source Medianama

What happened

Datum Intelligence report estimates Indian online marketplaces — Nykaa, BigBasket, Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Flipkart, Myntra, Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip —

Key facts

  • Rs 25,000-28,000 crore annually
  • 12 platforms non-compliant
  • Nykaa B-Index 99
  • BigBasket B-Index 98.5
  • Cleartrip B-Index 85.2
  • 62% QC users lost money
  • 85% misled
  • Rs 50 lakh penalty cap