India fines Rapido for misleading ride-booking prompts

India's consumer protection authority has fined ride-hailing platform Rapido for using misleading prompts and "dark patterns" that pressured riders to pay higher fares during the booking process. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd, the company operating Rapido, for what it described as unfair trade practices. The CCPA's investigation found that after quoting an initial fare, the Rapido app displayed messages such as "Higher the price, higher the chance of getting a ride" and "Captains aren't accepting at 60. Try adding 10, 20, 30" while a rider's booking was still being processed. The authority stated these prompts created a false impression that paying extra would improve the chances of securing a ride at a moment when the rider had already committed to the booking. The regulator classified these practices under two specific dark patterns identified in India's 2023 guidelines. The first, "Confirm Shaming," uses psychological pressure to push users toward a particular choice. The second, "Interface Interference," involves app design that visually steers consumers toward a specific option.