The Department of Consumer Affairs has partnered with IIT (BHU) to launch the Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023.

The hackathon aims to encourage participants to design and prototype innovative digital solutions, such as browser extensions, plugins, add-ons, and mobile apps. These solutions aim to detect the use, type, and scale of dark patterns on e-commerce platforms.

What are the key areas of focus?

During the development phase, participants should focus on pattern detection accuracy, user-friendly extensions, privacy-protected data collection, and AI-driven detection and performance optimization.

The evaluation criteria for the solutions will encompass innovation, user interface & experience, accuracy & reliability, and adherence to functionalities & features, among others.

What is the structure of the hackathon?

The Hackathon will proceed in four distinct stages: Registration of participant teams and host institutes. Intra Institute DPBH 2023 organization. Inter Institute DPBH 2023 organization. Award and prize distribution on World Consumer Rights Day.

What are the rewards for participants?

Top participants can win prizes: Rs 10 lakh for first place, Rs 5 lakh for second, Rs 3 lakh for third, Rs 2 lakh for fourth, and Rs 1 lakh for fifth. Interestingly, All winners will also receive a Certificate of Achievement.