Uber’s ‘advance tip’ feature -- which has caught the attention of India's consumer watchdog -- is not a one-off, but highlights a broader trend of digital platforms deploying manipulative design tactics, commonly known as dark patterns, to trick consumers into shelling more money.
The ride hailing platform was on Wednesday issued a notice by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) over its ‘advance tip’ feature.
Uber didn’t confirm the receipt of the notice till the press time.
But Uber isn’t alone. Other ride-hailing platforms like Rapido and Namma Yatri also allegedly use similar tactics.