🛒 Dark Patterns

Good morning. It’s going to be a good day - let’s go after it 💪 

Ruchirr Sharma & Shatakshi Sharmaa  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 🛒 India cracks down on e-commerce “Dark Patterns”

• 🎵 TikTok gets a lifeline in US-China ‘Framework’ deal

• Bite-sized summaries

  • 🪙 Silver demand surge

  • 📜 Quarterly reporting debate

• 🧑‍🍳 What else is cookin’?

MARKETS

🇮🇳 India

• Indian equities surged as US trade talks advanced and optimism over a potential Fed rate cut grew. Auto and realty stocks led gains on signs of recovering demand and festive momentum, while midcap and smallcap indices each added more than 0.5%. Banking and energy shares also outperformed, with Kotak Mahindra Bank, Maruti, L&T, and Bharti Airtel among the top gainers.

🌍️ International

• US stocks pulled back from record highs, as caution set in ahead of the Fed’s rate decision. Utilities and real estate led declines, while retail sales rose more than expected for August. Major indices saw modest losses after a strong run, with traders now focused on the Fed’s outlook and rate policy shift expected Wednesday.

E-COMMERCE

🛒 India cracks down on e-commerce “Dark Patterns”

The Indian government is taking a hard line against “dark patterns”—deceptive design tricks used by e-commerce platforms to push consumers into choices they might not otherwise make.

Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare warned that tactics like false urgency alerts (“only 1 left in stock”), hiding negative reviews, subscription traps, and bait-and-switch pricing will now be treated as unfair trade practices and face legal consequences.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has already issued 13 specific guidelines against dark patterns and sent 11 violation notices to companies including Zepto, Uber, and Ola. Action could include fines, raids, and even product seizures from warehouses.

Khare also flagged the growing misuse of AI to manipulate information, making self-audits by e-commerce firms all the more critical. Platforms are being urged to sign a “safety pledge” to ensure prohibited or unsafe products aren’t sold online.

The crackdown isn’t just about curbing manipulative design—it’s also about restoring consumer trust in digital commerce. As Khare put it, most buyers rely heavily on reviews and visible pricing. Hiding the bad or inflating the good amounts to deception.

Alongside enforcement, the government is working on reducing compliance burdens and ensuring GST cuts are passed on to consumers. But one message is clear: dark patterns will no longer go unchecked in India’s booming e-commerce sector.

Read more: Economic Times

TIKTOK

🎵 TikTok gets a lifeline in US-China ‘Framework’ deal

Just days before TikTok was set to be banned in the US, Washington and Beijing have struck a framework agreement to keep the app alive. The deal—still light on details—would shift TikTok’s American operations under US control, with Oracle expected to play a leading role.

At the core of the talks are national security concerns, data safeguards, and TikTok’s prized recommendation algorithm. Both sides have agreed to allow the algorithm’s use in the US, but with oversight by a trusted data partner.

While President Trump framed the outcome as a win for both fairness and security, Beijing’s nod reflects its careful hold over tech exports. This marks a rare moment of cooperation amid broader US-China tensions.

The current ban deadline may be extended once again—likely the fourth delay—to give negotiators more time to finalize terms. Trump and Xi are also expected to discuss the deal alongside wider trade issues later this week.

For now, TikTok’s millions of US users can breathe a sigh of relief—the app isn’t going dark just yet.

Read more: Economic Times

GENERAL OVERVIEW

🗞️ Bite-sized summaries

🪙 Silver demand surge - India’s silver imports are set to rise as strong industrial and investment demand depletes stocks built from 2024’s record inflows. Imports, which halved to 2,580 tons in the first eight months of 2025, are now projected at 5,500–6,000 tons for the year. Prices have surged nearly 49% in 2025, yet demand remains firm, with investors holding back scrap sales in anticipation of further gains. Robust ETF inflows and steady industrial use are driving momentum. As the world’s biggest silver consumer, India’s renewed imports could further support global prices, already hovering near 14-year highs.

📜 Quarterly reporting debate - A revived push led by Donald Trump is reigniting debate over scrapping U.S. quarterly earnings reports in favor of semi-annual disclosures. The SEC, calling the shift a “priority,” argues it would reduce compliance costs and curb short-termism. Supporters, including Warren Buffett and Jamie Dimon, say quarterly pressures distort long-term strategy. Critics, like the Council of Institutional Investors, warn less frequent updates could weaken transparency, efficiency, and accountability. While other markets like Singapore and the UK have already adopted semi-annual reporting, U.S. investors remain divided. The outcome could reshape how America balances transparency with corporate flexibility.

HEADLINES

🧑‍🍳 What else is cookin’?

What’s happening in India (and around the world 🌍️)

• Apollo Tyres to sponsor Indian cricket team's jersey following Dream11's exit.

• Google layoffs: Over 200 Google AI workers fired amid pay disputes and automation concerns.

• US tariff to slow down pace, scale of energy transition: Vedanta Resources CEO.

• We have only spent about Rs 10 lakh to develop Zerodha till date.

• ITC Foods, PE firms among dozen cos in race for around 10% stake acquisition in Balaji Wafers.