SpiceJet Faces CCPA Action Over Alleged Dark Patterns In Flight Bookings

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on SpiceJet for allegedly using deceptive “dark patterns” on its flight booking platform. The regulator has also directed the airline to permanently stop default-consent practices that influence customer decisions without obtaining clear and active approval from users.

According to the CCPA, SpiceJet’s booking platform was found to have automatically enrolled consumers into the Spice Club Loyalty Programme and treated users as having agreed to receive promotional communications through default options. The authority stated that such practices could result in customers accepting services or communications without making a deliberate choice during the booking process.

Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said consumer decisions must be based on informed and voluntary consent rather than interface designs that manipulate choices. He stated that the action against the airline reinforces the principle that consent should always be explicit, informed and freely provided by consumers.

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The CCPA said the airline used interface designs that encouraged customers towards options they may not have actively selected. According to the regulator, such methods reduce consumer control by relying on pre-selected settings instead of requiring users to provide clear confirmation before opting into additional services or communications.

As part of its directions, the authority has ordered SpiceJet to discontinue all default-consent mechanisms on its platform and ensure that customer choices are collected only through clear and affirmative consent procedures. The airline has also been instructed to maintain compliance with consumer protection regulations and avoid misleading design practices in its digital booking systems.

The action comes as regulators continue to examine the use of “dark patterns” across online platforms. These practices include pre-ticked boxes, hidden options, confusing layouts and other interface techniques designed to influence consumer behaviour. The CCPA’s latest move highlights the increasing focus on ensuring transparency and fairness in digital transactions and online services.

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