Home / Business and Economy / OTT Dark Patterns Trick Users Into Overspending
OTT Dark Patterns Trick Users Into Overspending
2 Jul
Summary
- 8 in 10 Indian OTT users encounter dark patterns.
- Nagging prompts and hidden cancellation options are common.
- Complaints span multiple popular streaming platforms.
A recent survey indicates that a significant majority of Over-The-Top (OTT) users in India are falling victim to 'dark patterns,' deceptive design practices that lead to unintended spending. Approximately 77% of respondents reported frequent, persistent prompts to upgrade subscriptions even after declining. Furthermore, 72% discovered that desired content required extra rental fees post-purchase, contrary to initial expectations.
Canceling subscriptions also presents a challenge, with 60% of users reporting difficulties due to hidden or unavailable cancellation options. Many users also experience automatic subscription renewals and continued charges after attempting to cancel. These manipulative practices affect numerous platforms, including Zee5, SonyLIV, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix, suggesting a systemic issue within the industry.
Despite the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issuing guidelines to ban dark patterns in November 2023, consumers continue to face these issues. The LocalCircles survey highlights the need for stricter enforcement of these regulations to ensure a fair streaming market for India's over 601 million OTT viewers.
