The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), through a press release dated April 2, 2026, has directed insurers offering products on digital platforms to comply with the Guidelines on Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority on November 30, 2023. These guidelines aim to eliminate deceptive user interface practices that mislead consumers into unintended decisions. The directive aligns with broader regulatory concerns, including those raised by the Reserve Bank of India, regarding manipulative digital designs in financial services. IRDAI has instructed regulated entities to conduct a self-assessment of their compliance status and submit a report within 15 days. In cases of non-compliance, entities must provide a corrective action plan with defined timelines within one month, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and consumer protection in the digital insurance ecosystem.
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
Press Release | 02 April, 2026
Compliance with Guidelines on Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) recently highlighted the need for regulated entities offering insurance products on e-platform to comply with the Guidelines on Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on November 30, 2023.
The move is in line with a broader regulatory push across the financial sector to curb deceptive digital practices. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also flagged concerns around “dark patterns” — user interface designs that mislead or manipulate consumers into unintended actions.
While bringing attention to the Guidelines, IRDAI advised the concerned regulated entities to carry out a self-assessment on the status of compliance and submit a report within 15 days. Wherever non-compliance is found, an action plan with timelines for removing the dark patterns has to be submitted within one month.
