{
  "format": {
    "name": "Open Self-Audit Statement",
    "version": "0.1",
    "url": "https://darkpatternaudit.tech/format/"
  },
  "statutoryBasis": "Rule 4(15) of the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, as amended by the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 789(E), 9 September 2026)",
  "entity": {
    "legalName": "Example Retail Private Limited",
    "cin": "U52100HR2024PTC000000",
    "gstin": null,
    "registeredAddress": "Sector 44, Gurugram, Haryana"
  },
  "properties": {
    "websites": [
      "https://www.example.in"
    ],
    "apps": []
  },
  "dates": {
    "auditDate": "2026-12-09",
    "periodStart": "2026-11-09",
    "periodEnd": "2026-12-09",
    "nextAuditDue": "2027-12-31"
  },
  "scope": {
    "surfaces": [
      "public_web",
      "authenticated"
    ],
    "journeys": "Browse to checkout for 12 products across 4 categories; sign-up, renewal and cancellation of the membership plan; consent at account creation and at checkout."
  },
  "exclusions": [
    "Mobile application",
    "Rogue malware (Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 13)",
    "Third-party apps embedded in the storefront",
    "Email, SMS and push notification journeys"
  ],
  "method": {
    "description": "Each journey was walked through by the product and legal teams and repeated in a fresh browser session after 20 minutes to check timers, scarcity messages and cart contents. Screenshots of every step were retained.",
    "evidenceRecord": null
  },
  "coverage": [
    { "id": "DP01", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "False urgency", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 1", "outcome": "issue_remediated" },
    { "id": "DP02", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "Basket sneaking", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 2", "outcome": "issue_remediated" },
    { "id": "DP03", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "Confirm shaming", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 3", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "DP04", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "Forced action", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 4", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "DP05", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "Subscription trap", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 5", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "DP06", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "Interface interference", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 6", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "DP07", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "Bait and switch", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 7", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "DP08", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "Drip pricing", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 8", "outcome": "issue_open" },
    { "id": "DP09", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "Disguised advertisement", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 9", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "DP10", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "Nagging", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 10", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "DP11", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "Trick question", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 11", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "DP12", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "SaaS billing", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 12", "outcome": "not_applicable" },
    { "id": "DP13", "group": "dark_pattern", "item": "Rogue malware", "basis": "Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, Annexure 1, item 13", "outcome": "not_examined" },
    { "id": "R4-2", "group": "duty", "item": "Legal name, addresses, website and contact details for customer care and the grievance officer", "basis": "Rule 4(2)", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "R4-5", "group": "duty", "item": "Grievance acknowledged within 48 hours, copy of complaint supplied, redressal within one month", "basis": "Rule 4(5)", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "R4-6", "group": "duty", "item": "Importer details and full name of country of origin for imported goods", "basis": "Rule 4(6)", "outcome": "not_applicable" },
    { "id": "R4-7", "group": "duty", "item": "Partner in the National Consumer Helpline convergence process", "basis": "Rule 4(7)", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "R4-9", "group": "duty", "item": "Consent to purchase recorded only by explicit, affirmative action — no pre-ticked boxes", "basis": "Rule 4(9)", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "R4-11c", "group": "duty", "item": "No misleading users by manipulating search results or indexes", "basis": "Rule 4(11)(c)", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "R4-12", "group": "duty", "item": "Sponsored listings distinctly identified with clear and prominent disclosure", "basis": "Rule 4(12)", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "R4-13", "group": "duty", "item": "Announced price reductions show the prior price — the lowest price in the preceding 30 days", "basis": "Rule 4(13)", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "R4-14", "group": "duty", "item": "Seller's name shown in the invoice in the same font size as the entity's name", "basis": "Rule 4(14)", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" },
    { "id": "R5-3f", "group": "duty", "item": "Main ranking parameters explained in descending order of significance, in plain language", "basis": "Rule 5(3)(f)", "outcome": "not_applicable" },
    { "id": "R5-6", "group": "duty", "item": "Collected information not used for associated or own-brand sellers without express consent", "basis": "Rule 5(6)", "outcome": "not_applicable" },
    { "id": "R5-7", "group": "duty", "item": "No bundled fees for services unrelated to the platform", "basis": "Rule 5(7)", "outcome": "not_applicable" },
    { "id": "R6-5j", "group": "duty", "item": "Seller's GSTIN or MSME registration number displayed", "basis": "Rule 6(5)(j)", "outcome": "not_applicable" },
    { "id": "R7-1a", "group": "duty", "item": "Return, refund, warranty, delivery, payment and grievance information", "basis": "Rule 7(1)(a)", "outcome": "no_issue_identified" }
  ],
  "openItems": {
    "count": 1,
    "remediatedCount": 2,
    "owner": "Head of E-commerce",
    "targetDate": "2027-01-31",
    "notes": "Handling fee to be shown on the product page before add-to-cart."
  },
  "attestation": {
    "name": "A. N. Other",
    "designation": "Director",
    "date": "2026-12-15",
    "declaration": "I, A. N. Other, Director, on behalf of Example Retail Private Limited, state that a self-audit of the platform(s) named in this statement was conducted as described in it, and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the platform(s), within the scope described above, are free from the dark patterns specified in the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, save for the open item listed in this statement, which is being remediated."
  },
  "limitations": [
    "This self-audit examined the scope described above, by the method described above. The absence of a finding is not proof that no dark pattern exists."
  ],
  "disclaimer": "This is a self-audit statement published by Example Retail Private Limited. It is not issued, endorsed, accredited or verified by any government authority, or by the publisher of the statement format, and it is not legal advice."
}