DemoPattern Gym · Our own test shop
See dark patterns switched on and off
Kapda & Co. is a shop we built to test our engine. Nothing in it is for sale. Turn on one dark pattern at a time and see how it behaves, then compare it with the honest version. Everything runs in your browser.
01Six patterns
One at a time
Most of these only show across steps, sessions or time, which is why a screenshot of one page can't catch them. The sample report shows what our engine recorded when it tested this shop.
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False urgency DP01 False urgency
Try it: Open the kurta, note the timer, then reload. It starts again at 10:00, and "Only 2 left" never changes.
Honest version: Countdown runs to a fixed deadline (1 Jan 2027 00:00 IST); the offer then ends and the price reverts.
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Basket sneaking DP02 Basket sneaking
Try it: Add the kurta to the cart. A ₹49 fabric protection plan is already in it.
Honest version: Only what the shopper adds.
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Drip pricing DP08 Drip pricing
Try it: The product page says inclusive of all taxes, free delivery. Go to checkout: a handling fee and a platform fee appear.
Honest version: Checkout total equals the product price.
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Pre-ticked consent Rule 4(9) consent / DP11 trick question
Try it: At checkout, the WhatsApp offers and partner-sharing boxes are already ticked.
Honest version: Both unticked. The billing-address box is pre-ticked in both modes: a benign default the oracle must not flag.
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Nagging DP10 Nagging
Try it: Dismiss the app-install prompt with Not now. It comes back about 8 seconds later, and on every page.
Honest version: Shown once per session; 'Not now' is respected.
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Subscription trap DP05 Subscription trap
Try it: Under Account, subscribe in one step, then try to cancel: six steps, a guilt-trip, a survey and a retention offer.
Honest version: Subscribe in 1 step; cancel in 2 (cancel, confirm).