What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What are Dark Patterns?
• Dark patterns and digitally conscious products

Why in News?

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), in collaboration with Parallel, a product design studio, recently released a report focusing on the prevalence of deceptive patterns in leading Indian apps.

This study highlighted the use of one or more of 12 deceptive/dark patterns in most of these apps.

What are Dark Patterns?

• About
  • Dark patterns refer to deceptive design techniques used in user interfaces to manipulate or deceive users into taking certain actions or making specific choices online.
  • Such patterns are unethical user interface designs that deliberately make Internet experience harder or even exploit the users.
  • These patterns exploit cognitive biases and behavioural tendencies to trick or mislead users, often for the benefit of the platform or business implementing them.
  • These tricks can include creating a false sense of urgency, making people feel bad for not doing something, forcing them to take certain actions, trapping them into subscriptions, or constantly bothering them.
• Examples
  • Social media companies and Big Tech firms such as Apple, Amazon, Skype, Facebook, LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Google use dark or deceptive patterns to downgrade the user experience to their advantage.
  • Amazon
    • It came under fire in the EU for its confusing, multi-step cancellation process for the Amazon Prime subscription.
  • LinkedIn
    • LinkedIn users often receive unsolicited, sponsored messages from influencers.
    • Disabling this option is a difficult process with multiple steps that requires users to be familiar with the platform controls.
• Types
  • Regulation of dark patterns in India
    • In September 2023, Department of Consumer Affairs has sought public comments on Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns.
  • The objective was to clearly identify and define tactics as dark patterns so that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs can act against platforms indulging in this under Section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
    • Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), a self-regulatory body of the advertising industry in India, recently said that it wants to expand its code to address concerns around dark patterns in digital advertising.

Dark patterns and digitally conscious products

• About the news
  • The ASCI study highlights several deceptive patterns used by Indian apps to manipulate users.
  • One such pattern is "Interface Interference," where apps use contrasting colors to draw attention to certain options while blending other parts of the screen, subtly steering users toward a specific choice.
• The study found that over 45% of leading Indian apps use this tactic.
  • Another deceptive pattern is "Confirm Shaming," where apps use guilt or social pressure to influence user decisions.
• For example, an app might offer choices like "Upgrade now" or "I don’t want a smarter software," implying that choosing not to upgrade is foolish.
  • A third example is "Basket Sneaking," where apps add unwanted items to a user's shopping cart, such as a charity donation, without explicit consent, requiring users to actively remove it if they do not wish to contribute.
• These examples illustrate how apps manipulate user behavior through deceptive design tactics.
• Other types
  • The report identifies 12 deceptive patterns used in Indian apps, including the previously mentioned Interface Interference, Confirm Shaming, and Basket Sneaking.
• Other notable patterns are:
  • Privacy Deception, where users are tricked into sharing more personal data than intended;
  • Drip Pricing, where additional fees are gradually revealed during the purchase process; and
  • the Subscription Trap, where users are led into recurring subscriptions without fully understanding the commitment.
• Significance
  • The study is significant as it raises awareness among marketers about these deceptive patterns, which could unintentionally be incorporated into app interfaces.
  • It emphasizes the importance for brands with digital interfaces to review ASCI's guidelines and those from the Department of Consumer Affairs.
  • As a practical step, marketers can use resources like the Conscious Patterns website to test their apps and receive a "conscious score," helping them balance business needs with user protection.
  • The report also stresses that both marketers and designers need to prioritize ethical design practices, as the responsibility for app interfaces often lies with specialist designers rather than marketers.
  • This awareness is crucial in the evolving digital landscape.

Q.1. What is Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)?

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) is a self-regulatory organization that ensures ethical advertising practices in India. It aims to protect consumer interests by promoting truthful, fair, and responsible advertising, while resolving disputes and upholding standards across various media platforms.

Q.2. What are Cognitive biases?

Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that affect decision-making and judgment. They arise from shortcuts the brain takes, leading to irrational conclusions and skewed perceptions. Examples include confirmation bias, where people favor information that confirms their beliefs, and anchoring, where initial information disproportionately influences decisions.

Source: The Curious Marketer . Dark patterns and digitally conscious products | PIB | Ministry of Consumer Affairs

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Government Initiatives to Bolster Domestic Clean Technology Manufacturing
• Implications of Market Concentration in India’s Solar PV Module Industry
• India’s Renewable Energy Prospects

Why in News?

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) reimposed its mandate requiring solar projects to source (photovoltaic [PV]) modules exclusively from a government-approved list of domestic manufacturers starting April 1.
• This comes amid concerns over market concentration in India’s solar PV module industry and its potential to drive-up household electricity tariffs.

Government Initiatives to Bolster Domestic Clean Technology Manufacturing:

• The ALMM (Approved List of Model Manufacturers):
  • Issued by the MNRE in 2021, it mandates all government-assisted or associated solar projects to use only enlisted modules, effectively barring the use of imported modules in most projects.
  • The order aims to enhance energy security by reducing import dependence.
  • The order was reimposed recently because the enlisted capacity of around 50 GW is believed to be sufficient and the duty-free import of solar modules from ASEAN countries is detrimental to domestic producers.
• The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar PV modules: Till now, the MNRE has announced incentives for 48.3 GW of module manufacturing capacities under the PLI scheme.

Implications of Market Concentration in India’s Solar PV Module Industry:

• Positive:
  • The BCD (Basic Custom Duty of 40% on solar module imports) will help grow the consumption demand of domestically manufactured products.
  • Manufacturers anticipate a multifold increase in solar panel installations due to the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana's goal of installing one crore household rooftop solar panels.
  • Furthermore, solar panel manufacturers are also hoping for a policy change in European countries on the lines of the US which may open the European market for India.
• Negative:

• Companies linked to just five manufacturers control nearly half of the current capacity listed on the ALMM.
• Domestic solar modules are now 90% more expensive than imports, with prices reaching 18 cents per watt compared to 9.1 cents for imported modules.

India’s Renewable Energy Prospects:

• Current situation:
  • It should be mentioned that India is the 3rd largest energy consuming country and stands 4th for total renewable power capacity additions.
  • As of (May) 2024, India’s renewable energy capacity stands at 195.01 GW with solar power capacity of 85.47 GW, wind power of 46.65 GW, small hydro power of 5 GW and large hydro power of around 46 GW.
  • At COP26 India announced its plan to achieve the target of 500GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030.
• Future projections:
  • India’s power consumption is growing at around 10%-12% per annum resulting in an additional power demand of 20-25 GW annually.
  • This increasing demand combined with the government initiatives may create a multi fold increase in the demand for solar installations.
• Challenges:
  • In order to reach the 2030 target, India needs to add about 44 GW annually, requiring an investment of US$ 190-215 billion over seven years.
    • According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry data, the total solar capacity installed in FY 24 was around 15 GW this far.
  • Land acquisition and infrastructure development to establish an efficient transmission network are the major challenges that the industry and the government need to address.
  • India’s per capita power consumption is only around one third of the global average.

Q.1. What is the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

The Government of India has approved the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana on 29th February, 2024 to increase the share of solar rooftop capacity and empower residential households to generate their own electricity. The scheme has an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore and is to be implemented till FY 2026-27.

Q.2. What is India's stand at the COP26?

The Government of India has articulated and put across the concerns of developing countries at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the UNFCCC held in Glasgow, United Kingdom. Further, India presented the following five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action.

Source: Despite red flags over ‘excessive profiteering’, ministry reimposed solar module shortlist of domestic producers | FE

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in the News?
• India – Malaysia Bilateral Relationship
• Challenges and Prospects in India-Malaysia Economic Ties

Why in the News?

• Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim is scheduled to visit India from August 19-21, marking his first visit as Malaysia's Prime Minister.

India – Malaysia Bilateral Relationship

• India established diplomatic relations with the Federation of Malaya (predecessor state of Malaysia) in 1957.
• The two countries enjoyed a strong relationship in the 1960s as a result of the personal friendship between Prime Ministers Nehru and Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra.
• Presently, India and Malaysia have developed close political, economic and socio-cultural relations.
• Malaysia is home to over 2.95 million large Indian diaspora and the second largest PIO community in the world after the US.
• Economic & Commercial Relations:
  • Malaysia has emerged as 13th largest trading partner for India while India figures among the ten largest trading partners for Malaysia.
  • A bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) covering goods, services and investment has come into effect from 2011.

• Major Exports:
  • Mineral fuels, mineral oils, aluminum and articles thereof, meat and edible meat offal, iron and steel, copper and articles thereof, etc.
• Major Imports:
  • palm oil, mineral fuels, mineral oils, electrical machinery and equipment; animal or vegetable fats and oils, etc.
• Investments:
  • As per official figures (DPIIT), Malaysia ranks as the 26th largest investor in India with FDI inflow of US$ 1.16 billion during the period April 2000 to September 2022.
  • The largest presence of Malaysian construction companies outside Malaysia is in India.
  • Indian companies have invested in around 250 manufacturing projects of over US$ 2.62 billion.
  • Presently, there are more than 150 Indian companies, including 61 Indian joint ventures and 3 Indian Public Sector Undertakings operating in Malaysia.
  • Trade Settlement in Indian Rupees: Trade between India and Malaysia can now be settled in Indian Rupee (INR) in addition to the current modes of settlement in other currencies.
• Defense and Security:
  • India-Malaysia defense relations have developed steadily since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defence Cooperation in 1993.
  • Both nations participate in each other's biennial defense exhibitions, LIMA and MILAN.
  • Additionally, India is involved in the Cooperative Mechanism on the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), contributing to projects that enhance navigational safety and environmental protection.

Challenges and Prospects in India-Malaysia Economic Ties

• The business relationship between India and Malaysia faces challenges that could slow down economic growth, such as geopolitical tensions, global demand stagnation, and higher import tariffs.
• However, the strong trade ties between the two countries are expected to persist.
• Despite these challenges, India and Malaysia have formed a strong strategic partnership, with both countries being members of important global forums like the Commonwealth of Nations, NAM, G-15, and G-77, which support their cooperation.
• There are many opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations further.
• Efforts like avoiding double taxation, mutual customs assistance, improving air connectivity, and collaborations among airlines can boost trade and tourism.
• Additionally, factors such as a vibrant diaspora, steady GDP growth, a younger population compared to China, expected increases in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and rapid digitization are promising for future trade.
• The recent revival of the India-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting after 12 years shows renewed commitment to cooperation.
• The upcoming amendment to the Malaysia-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (MICECA), which will include new economic sectors, is aimed at reaching a trade volume of US$25 billion within the next three years.

By exploring new sectors, diversifying trade, and fostering beneficial collaborations, both countries can support India's goal of becoming the world's third-largest economy by 2027 and strengthen ties with ASEAN.

Q1. Where is Strait of Malacca located?

The Straits of Malacca is a narrow stretch of water in South East Asia that is 550 miles long and is located between the east coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra and the west coast of the Malay Peninsula.

Q2. When was ASEAN established?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Source: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to visit India next week | GOV.IN

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Storm-2035?
• Use of ChatGPT to influence U.S. presidential election
• Steps taken by OpenAI to safeguard its tech

Why in News?

Recently, OpenAI announced that it had banned ChatGPT accounts connected to an Iranian influence operation that aimed to generate content to sway the U.S. presidential election.

The Microsoft-backed company reported that it had identified and removed a "cluster of ChatGPT accounts" and is actively monitoring the situation.

What is Storm-2035?

• OpenAI identified a group involved in an Iranian influence operation, dubbed "Storm-2035," which operated through four websites posing as news organizations.
• These sites, including EvenPolitics, Nio Thinker, Westland Sun, Teorator, and Savannah Time, exploited divisive issues such as LGBTQ rights and the Israel-Hamas conflict to influence U.S. voters.
• According to a Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) report, the sites used AI tools to plagiarize content and drive web traffic. The operation targeted both liberal and conservative voters in the U.S.

Use of ChatGPT to influence U.S. presidential election

• Use
  • OpenAI revealed that operatives from the Storm-2035 group used ChatGPT to generate long-form articles and social media comments, which were then posted on X and Instagram accounts.
  • These AI-generated posts mimicked American language patterns, rehashed existing comments or propaganda, and significantly reduced the time needed to produce and distribute plagiarized content aimed at influencing voters.
  • The operation not only targeted the upcoming U.S. presidential election but also covered global issues such as Venezuelan politics, Latin rights in the U.S., the situation in Palestine, Scottish independence, and Israel's participation in the Olympic Games.
  • It also exploited popular topics like fashion and beauty.
• Impact
  • OpenAI has downplayed the severity of the Storm-2035 incident, noting that the content generated by the operation received minimal engagement on social media.
  • Using Brookings' BreakoutScale, which rates the impact of covert operations from 1 to 6, the report classified this operation as low-end Category 2.
• This means the content was posted on multiple platforms but failed to gain traction among real users.
  • Despite this, OpenAI emphasized that it had shared the threat information with relevant government, campaign, and industry stakeholders.
  • While OpenAI viewed the disruption of this Iran-linked influence operation as a positive outcome, it also acknowledged the serious implications of foreign operatives using generative AI tools to target U.S. voters.
  • The incident underscores multiple vulnerabilities across OpenAI, social media platforms like X and Instagram, and the search engines that ranked the sites involved.
• Other similar issues OpenAI faced in the past
  • In May, OpenAI disclosed that it had spent over three months dismantling covert influence operations using its AI tools to generate social media comments, articles in various languages, fake profiles, and to translate or proofread content.
  • One Russian group, dubbed "Bad Grammar," used Telegram to target Ukraine, Moldova, the Baltic States, and the U.S.
  • Other operations included "Doppelganger" from Russia, "Zeno Zeno" from Israel, "Spamouflage" from China, and "International Union of Virtual Media" (IUVM) from Iran.
• These groups used ChatGPT to write social media comments and articles on platforms like X and 9GAG.
• They focused on topics like Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Gaza conflict, elections in India and Europe, and criticism of the Chinese government.
  • OpenAI also uncovered instances of state-backed actors using AI for malicious purposes.
  • In July, it revealed that a hacker had accessed its internal messaging systems the previous year, stealing information related to its AI technologies.
• Although the hacker was an individual, the breach raised concerns about potential threats from Chinese adversaries.

Steps taken by OpenAI to safeguard its tech

• OpenAI found that its AI tools successfully refused to generate certain text or images due to built-in safeguards during its investigation into influence operations.
• The company also developed AI-powered security tools that can now detect threat actors within days instead of weeks.
• Although not widely discussed, OpenAI has deepened its ties with U.S. federal agencies.
• In June, OpenAI appointed cybersecurity expert and retired U.S. Army General Paul M. Nakasone to its Board of Directors.
  • Nakasone, who previously led the U.S. National Security Agency, has extensive experience in cyber units across the U.S., Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
• Recently, OpenAI also announced a partnership with the U.S. AI Safety Institute, allowing the institute to preview and test its upcoming foundational model, GPT-5.

Q.1. What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to systems or machines that simulate human intelligence to perform tasks and improve over time through learning. It encompasses technologies like machine learning and natural language processing, enabling computers to analyze data, recognize patterns, and make decisions with minimal human intervention.

Q.2. What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an AI language model developed by OpenAI that generates human-like text based on input. It can understand and respond to a wide range of topics, engage in conversations, and assist with various tasks. It leverages machine learning to continually improve its language and interaction capabilities.

Source: How an Iranian group used ChatGPT to influence U.S. presidential election | Times of India