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Beware of Dark Patterns: Online Insurance Quotes Hide 6 Tricky Tactics
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Moneycontrol•28-09-2026, 13:31
Beware of Dark Patterns: Online Insurance Quotes Hide 6 Tricky Tactics
- •The IRDAI is addressing "dark patterns" in online insurance, proposing a ban on practices that manipulate consumers during the quote and purchase process.
- •Dark patterns include "forced action" (85% experienced), "nagging" (90% experienced), and "bait and switch" pricing (82% experienced).
- •Other manipulative tactics are "subscription traps" (80% experienced), "privacy Zuckering" (77% experienced), and "drip pricing" (65% experienced).
- •Hanut Mehta of BimaPay believes these reforms, including Bima Sugam, will shift the market from seller-driven to customer-choice on neutral platforms.
- •Consumers should carefully check all details, consent, and charges when getting online quotes, as IRDAI seeks comments on these proposals until October 25.
Key Questions Answered
IRDAI has proposed prohibiting deceptive design tactics known as dark patterns on online insurance platforms and requiring insurers to disclose product, pricing, and quality information in a standard format without first demanding personal details like mobile numbers or names from consumers.
The six dark patterns include forced action, nagging, bait and switch, subscription traps, privacy zuckering, and drip pricing, which manipulate users into sharing data, accepting higher renewals, or struggling to cancel services.
IRDAI has invited comments and feedback on its distribution reforms and anti-dark pattern proposals until October 25.
