Deceptive design patterns ("Dark Patterns") are everywhere.

Recently (2023 and 2024), the consumer protections and advertising standards organisations in India have issued guidelines which will theoretically force publishers to adhere to more ethical practices, backed up with potential penalties.

Of course, it's a shame that for-profit organisations need, "do this or we'll punish you" to stop their bad behaviour, but capitalism gonna capitalise.

What do you think? Do you think this is the sort of thing that should be regulated? Can it be regulated, or is it so vague as to be unenforcable?

Further reading:

https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/dark-patterns-are-now-illegal-in-india-6b3c35c5ce50