<p>The Central Consumer Protection Authority’s (CCPA) action against companies including IndiGo and Jio has brought renewed attention to a digital practice that many consumers encounter every day but often fail to notice: dark patterns.</p><p>These are not software bugs or design mistakes. They are deliberate features built into websites and apps to influence user behaviour. Whether it is a pre-selected insurance option while booking a flight, a countdown timer urging immediate payment, or charges that appear only at the final payment page, the objective is often the same – to nudge consumers towards decisions they may not have made otherwise.</p><h2><strong>More than a design problem</strong></h2><p>The government’s concern is that such practices distort consumer choice. A customer who believes only a few tickets remain may rush to book without comparing prices. Someone who signs up for a free trial may later discover that cancelling the subscription is unusually complicated. Hidden fees can make a product appear cheaper than it actually is.</p><p>These techniques create an uneven playing field where consumers may not have complete information before making a purchase. The problem is not simply persuasion, but the use of misleading design that exploits attention, urgency and confusion.</p><h2><strong>The regulatory push</strong></h2><p>India attempted to address these practices through the CCPA’s Dark Patterns Guidelines, 2023, which identified several forms of deceptive online design, including basket sneaking, false urgency, drip pricing and subscription traps. The guidelines give regulators a framework to examine whether digital platforms are engaging in unfair trade practices.</p><p>The recent enforcement action suggests that the government is willing to move beyond issuing advisories. Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the CCPA has powers to investigate and penalise businesses that mislead consumers. However, enforcement remains a challenge because digital interfaces change constantly and many platforms personalise what different users see.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-neet-protests-how-bluetooth-mesh-apps-kept-communication-alive-without-internet-1784890656998"><strong>Delhi NEET protests: How Bluetooth mesh apps kept communication alive without internet</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Why companies need a different approach</strong></h2><p>For companies, the issue is increasingly becoming one of trust rather than just compliance. Transparent pricing, clear subscription terms and genuine consent mechanisms are likely to matter more as regulatory scrutiny intensifies. Making it easy to cancel a service can strengthen long-term customer confidence, even if it reduces short-term revenue opportunities.</p><p>Businesses that rely on clarity rather than manipulation are more likely to build repeat customers and stronger brand credibility.</p><h2><strong>What consumers can do</strong></h2><p>Consumers also have a role to play. Reviewing the final payment amount, checking for pre-selected add-ons, reading renewal conditions and avoiding decisions driven by artificial urgency can help reduce the impact of deceptive design. Screenshots and transaction records can also be useful if a complaint needs to be filed.</p><p>The larger debate is no longer about individual tricks used by apps and websites. It is about whether the digital marketplace should be built around informed choice or behavioural manipulation. The CCPA’s crackdown has made it clear that regulators increasingly see dark patterns not merely as poor design, but as a consumer protection issue that goes to the heart of fairness in the online economy.</p>

CCPA’s action against IndiGo, Jio and others highlights dark patterns – deceptive online designs that manipulate users through hidden charges, fake urgency, forced choices and difficult cancellations.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority’s (CCPA) action against companies including IndiGo and Jio has brought renewed attention to a digital practice that many consumers encounter every day but often fail to notice: dark patterns. These are not software bugs or design mistakes. They are deliberate features built into websites and apps to influence user behaviour. Whether it is a pre-selected insurance option while booking a flight, a countdown timer urging immediate payment, or charges that appear only at the final payment page, the objective is often the same – to nudge consumers towards decisions they may not have made otherwise. More than a design problem The government’s concern is that such practices distort consumer choice. A customer who believes only a few tickets remain may rush to book without comparing prices. Someone who signs up for a free trial may later discover that cancelling the subscription is unusually complicated. Hidden fees can make a product appear cheaper than it actually is. These techniques create an uneven playing field where consumers may not have complete information before making a purchase. The problem is not simply persuasion, but the use of misleading design that exploits attention, urgency and confusion. The regulatory push India attempted to address these practices through the CCPA’s Dark Patterns Guidelines, 2023, which identified several forms of deceptive online design, including basket sneaking, false urgency, drip pricing and subscription traps. The guidelines give regulators a framework to examine whether digital platforms are engaging in unfair trade practices. The recent enforcement action suggests that the government is willing to move beyond issuing advisories. Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the CCPA has powers to investigate and penalise businesses that mislead consumers. However, enforcement remains a challenge because digital interfaces change constantly and many platforms personalise what different users see. Also read | Delhi NEET protests: How Bluetooth mesh apps kept communication alive without internet Why companies need a different approach For companies, the issue is increasingly becoming one of trust rather than just compliance. Transparent pricing, clear subscription terms and genuine consent mechanisms are likely to matter more as regulatory scrutiny intensifies. Making it easy to cancel a service can strengthen long-term customer confidence, even if it reduces short-term revenue opportunities. Businesses that rely on clarity rather than manipulation are more likely to build repeat customers and stronger brand credibility. What consumers can do Consumers also have a role to play. Reviewing the final payment amount, checking for pre-selected add-ons, reading renewal conditions and avoiding decisions driven by artificial urgency can help reduce the impact of deceptive design. Screenshots and transaction records can also be useful if a complaint needs to be filed. The larger debate is no longer about individual tricks used by apps and websites. It is about whether the digital marketplace should be built around informed choice or behavioural manipulation. The CCPA’s crackdown has made it clear that regulators increasingly see dark patterns not merely as poor design, but as a consumer protection issue that goes to the heart of fairness in the online economy.

<p>CCPA’s action against IndiGo, Jio and others highlights dark patterns – deceptive online designs that manipulate users through hidden charges, fake urgency, forced choices and difficult cancellations.</p>

What are dark patterns? IndiGo, Jio under scanner over deceptive online practices | WION Decodes

<p>Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) took suo moto cognisance of an advertisement published in newspapers by gaming company Lotus 365 and issued notices for making a misleading claim that their firm was "India's most-trusted sports exchange since 2015", according to reports.</p>

<p>The firm has now been asked to submit proof of its claims. Meanwhile, celebrities like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Urvashi Rautela, who endorsed this brand as its brand ambassadors, have also received notices.</p>

<p>They have been asked to reply as to why they found that the company's claims were correct, before endorsing them.&nbsp;They will have to prove why they saw authenticity in the claims made by the brand.</p>

<p>The consumer affairs ministry had previously asked celebrities to be careful and carry out "specific diligence" before&nbsp;endorsing products.</p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqvjD6UIIPI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqvjD6UIIPI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqvjD6UIIPI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqvjD6UIIPI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Urvashi Rautela (@urvashirautela)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-breaks-up-with-boyfriend-joe-alwyn-after-six-years-of-dating-report-580588">Taylor Swift breaks up with boyfriend Joe Alwyn after six years of dating: Report</a></p>

<p>According to ETimes, three celebs including Nawazuddin and Urvashi have been given notices for endorsing the "misleading"&nbsp;advertisement. CCPA is waiting to hear from the firm and the celebrities before initiating action.</p>

<p>Nawazuddin and Urvashi's teams are yet to comment on the notices and their affiliation with the gaming company.</p>

<p>Other known faces like Kajal Aggarwal, Tamnnaah Bhatia, and Tejasswi Prakash have also been seen in the advertisements for the&nbsp;website. Influencers including Samyuktha Shan, Mirnalini Ravi, Niddhi Agerwal, Kanika Mann and others have also been promoting the platform during the IPL season. The social media handles of the company show&nbsp;various popular faces affiliated with them</p>

<p>On the work front,&nbsp;the actor will be next seen in <em>Afwaah, Tiku Weds Sheru, Noorani Chehra,</em> and <em>Jogira Sara Ra Ra</em>.&nbsp;Nawazuddin has a busy year ahead.</p>

<p>Urvashi, on the other hand, will be next seen in&nbsp;<em>Dil Hai Gray, Waltair Veerayya,</em> and<em> Black Rose</em>.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) took suo moto cognisance of an advertisement published in newspapers by gaming company Lotus 365 and issued notices for making a misleading claim that their firm was "India's most-trusted sports exchange since 2015", according to reports.

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) took suo moto cognisance of an advertisement published in newspapers by gaming company Lotus 365 and issued notices for making a misleading claim that their firm was "India's most-trusted sports exchange since 2015", according to reports. The firm has now been asked to submit proof of its claims. Meanwhile, celebrities like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Urvashi Rautela, who endorsed this brand as its brand ambassadors, have also received notices. They have been asked to reply as to why they found that the company's claims were correct, before endorsing them. They will have to prove why they saw authenticity in the claims made by the brand. The consumer affairs ministry had previously asked celebrities to be careful and carry out "specific diligence" before endorsing products. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Urvashi Rautela (@urvashirautela) Also read: Taylor Swift breaks up with boyfriend Joe Alwyn after six years of dating: Report According to ETimes, three celebs including Nawazuddin and Urvashi have been given notices for endorsing the "misleading" advertisement. CCPA is waiting to hear from the firm and the celebrities before initiating action. Nawazuddin and Urvashi's teams are yet to comment on the notices and their affiliation with the gaming company. Other known faces like Kajal Aggarwal, Tamnnaah Bhatia, and Tejasswi Prakash have also been seen in the advertisements for the website. Influencers including Samyuktha Shan, Mirnalini Ravi, Niddhi Agerwal, Kanika Mann and others have also been promoting the platform during the IPL season. The social media handles of the company show various popular faces affiliated with them On the work front, the actor will be next seen in Afwaah, Tiku Weds Sheru, Noorani Chehra, and Jogira Sara Ra Ra. Nawazuddin has a busy year ahead. Urvashi, on the other hand, will be next seen in Dil Hai Gray, Waltair Veerayya, and Black Rose. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Urvashi Rautela, Nawazuddin Siddiqui get notices from CCPA for endorsing misleading ads

<p>India's consumer protection authority, known as the Central Consumer Protection&nbsp;Authority&nbsp;(CCPA) banned hotels and restaurants from levying any service charge on bills. The order came out on Monday. The authority said that the ban is put because of the increased complaints of the customers, who are forced to pay the service charge. CCPA has released a list of new guidelines regarding the same. Paying the charge or a tip is totally the customer's voluntary decision and they cannot be forced to pay the same.&nbsp;The department of consumer affairs (DoCA) also earlier said that it would develop a framework soon to ensure regulation of service charge and make sure that customers do not face any problems regarding the same.&nbsp;It negatively impacts consumers on a regular basis.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sixteen-including-school-students-killed-as-bus-falls-into-gorge-in-himachal-pradeshs-kullu-494260">India: 16 including school students killed as bus falls into gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>What are the new CCPA’s guidelines for restaurants and hotels?</strong></p>

<p>Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued five major guidelines regarding the restaurants and hotels levying a heavy service charge on bills and forcing people to pay it. They are as follows:-</p>

<p>(i) Service charge shall not be added automatically or by default in the bill by&nbsp;any hotels or restaurants.</p>

<p>(ii) The Service charge shall not be collected by any other name from the consumers.</p>

<p>(iii) The hotel or restaurant must inform the customer that to pay the service charge is&nbsp; voluntary, optional, and at the consumer’s discretion and they shall not force a customer to pay the same.</p>

<p>(iv) The hotels or restaurants cannot deny entry or services to a customer based on the collection of service charge.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(v) No service charge should be collected in the name of GST or adding it along the food bill's total amount in any way.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>What is Service Charge by Hotels and Restaurants?</strong></p>

<p>Restaurants often add a 5 per cent&nbsp;to 15 per cent&nbsp;tip to a customer's bill under a "service charge" category. It is the amount&nbsp;to pay for the work of the person who comes and serves you.&nbsp;In 2017, the government had said, "As per the approved guidelines on service charge,&nbsp;service charge is totally voluntary and not mandatory now. However still they were adding service charge even in some other name, because of which customers face a lot of problems and even there was a case in Noida recently, in which a person was beaten to death due to some fight over paying the service charge.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Which Indian Law do these guidelines come from?</strong></h2>

<p>The CCPA has issued these guidelines under the Section 18 (2) (I) of The Consumer Protection Act, 2019. These&nbsp; guidelines come in addition of the 2017 guidelines by the government, which announced that service charge is completely voluntarily. A meeting was held on June 2, by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food &amp; Public Distribution with restaurant associations and consumer organisations regarding the levying of service charges, after which it was announced that soon a framework would be released to solve the problems the customers are facing.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>As a customer why these guidelines on service charge important?</strong></p>

<p>The guidelines are very important for the customers because this can prevent them from being forced and sometimes even harassed to pay the service charges. Customers should be fully aware of these guidelines and should even make other people aware of it, so that they know about their rights. They can even lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline number, which is 1915. Complaint can also be filed with the district collector or with the Consumer Commission.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-police-arrests-third-gangster-who-shot-punjabi-singer-moose-wala-494393">Delhi police arrest third gangster who shot Punjabi singer Moose Wala</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>Response from Hotels and Restaurants side after introducing these guidelines on service charge</strong></p>

<p>During the meeting on June 2, that was held by the&nbsp;by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food &amp; Public Distribution with the restaurant associations and consumer organisations, the hotel and restaurant representatives said that levying service charge is a&nbsp;“matter of individual policy” and that there is “no illegality in levying such a charge”. They also supported the levying of service charge saying that it would help the government as well as tax is also paid on it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government has recommended restaurants to pay fair wages to employees instead&nbsp;and increase product prices to meet the cost, instead of forcing customers to pay the service charge.&nbsp;Customers all over the country are very happy with the government's decision and got a sigh of relief. There is a hope that maybe now the customers can dine-in without any problems can enjoy without worrying about the service charge.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


India's consumer protection authority, known as the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) banned hotels and restaurants from levying any service charge on bills.

India's consumer protection authority, known as the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) banned hotels and restaurants from levying any service charge on bills. The order came out on Monday. The authority said that the ban is put because of the increased complaints of the customers, who are forced to pay the service charge. CCPA has released a list of new guidelines regarding the same. Paying the charge or a tip is totally the customer's voluntary decision and they cannot be forced to pay the same. The department of consumer affairs (DoCA) also earlier said that it would develop a framework soon to ensure regulation of service charge and make sure that customers do not face any problems regarding the same. It negatively impacts consumers on a regular basis. Also read | India: 16 including school students killed as bus falls into gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu What are the new CCPA’s guidelines for restaurants and hotels? Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued five major guidelines regarding the restaurants and hotels levying a heavy service charge on bills and forcing people to pay it. They are as follows:- (i) Service charge shall not be added automatically or by default in the bill by any hotels or restaurants. (ii) The Service charge shall not be collected by any other name from the consumers. (iii) The hotel or restaurant must inform the customer that to pay the service charge is voluntary, optional, and at the consumer’s discretion and they shall not force a customer to pay the same. (iv) The hotels or restaurants cannot deny entry or services to a customer based on the collection of service charge. (v) No service charge should be collected in the name of GST or adding it along the food bill's total amount in any way. What is Service Charge by Hotels and Restaurants? Restaurants often add a 5 per cent to 15 per cent tip to a customer's bill under a "service charge" category. It is the amount to pay for the work of the person who comes and serves you. In 2017, the government had said, "As per the approved guidelines on service charge, service charge is totally voluntary and not mandatory now. However still they were adding service charge even in some other name, because of which customers face a lot of problems and even there was a case in Noida recently, in which a person was beaten to death due to some fight over paying the service charge. Which Indian Law do these guidelines come from? The CCPA has issued these guidelines under the Section 18 (2) (I) of The Consumer Protection Act, 2019. These guidelines come in addition of the 2017 guidelines by the government, which announced that service charge is completely voluntarily. A meeting was held on June 2, by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution with restaurant associations and consumer organisations regarding the levying of service charges, after which it was announced that soon a framework would be released to solve the problems the customers are facing. As a customer why these guidelines on service charge important? The guidelines are very important for the customers because this can prevent them from being forced and sometimes even harassed to pay the service charges. Customers should be fully aware of these guidelines and should even make other people aware of it, so that they know about their rights. They can even lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline number, which is 1915. Complaint can also be filed with the district collector or with the Consumer Commission. Also read | Delhi police arrest third gangster who shot Punjabi singer Moose Wala Response from Hotels and Restaurants side after introducing these guidelines on service charge During the meeting on June 2, that was held by the by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution with the restaurant associations and consumer organisations, the hotel and restaurant representatives said that levying service charge is a “matter of individual policy” and that there is “no illegality in levying such a charge”. They also supported the levying of service charge saying that it would help the government as well as tax is also paid on it. The government has recommended restaurants to pay fair wages to employees instead and increase product prices to meet the cost, instead of forcing customers to pay the service charge. Customers all over the country are very happy with the government's decision and got a sigh of relief. There is a hope that maybe now the customers can dine-in without any problems can enjoy without worrying about the service charge. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Restaurants and hotels service charge: Do you know these new CCPA guidelines?

ccpa

Ccpa, News on Ccpa, stories on Ccpa, articles on Ccpa, Ccpa stories at Wion, Ccpa news, Ccpa latest news