RBI Mandates Banks to Eradicate Dark Patterns by July 2026

• RBI orders banks to remove deceptive 'dark patterns' from apps and websites by July 2026 to protect consumers.
• A LocalCircles survey of over 161,000 responses found 4-7 dark patterns per bank, including basket sneaking, forced action, and drip pricing.
• Key issues identified: 57% users faced hidden charges (basket sneaking), 51% forced actions, 64% undisclosed fees (drip pricing), and 46% repeated prompts (nagging).
• The RBI's draft 'Responsible Business Conduct Amendment Directions, 2026' also bans product bundling and requires explicit customer consent.
• LocalCircles validated these intentional practices using AI and will submit findings to RBI to ensure transparent and fair digital banking.