Dark patterns self-audit

Declaration

Escanor Labs has audited its website, web app, desktop app and Android app against the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority. We declare that, as of 8 October 2026, Escanor does not use any of the dark patterns listed in those guidelines. Signed for Escanor Labs by Lakshay Jain, Co-founder and Grievance Officer. Next audit due by 8 October 2027.

What we checked

• False urgency: no countdown timers, "only N left" claims or limited-time pressure anywhere.
• Basket sneaking: nothing is added to your order; checkout shows only the plan you chose.
• Confirm shaming: cancel and decline buttons are worded neutrally ("Keep subscription", "Cancel renewal").
• Forced action: the Free plan needs no card, no app download and no unrelated data; only acceptance of the Terms is required to use the service.
• Subscription trap: cancelling takes two clicks in Settings → Billing, with no fee and no call or chat required.
• Interface interference: accept and decline options have equal weight; optional choices are unticked by default.
• Bait and switch: the plan and price you choose are the plan and price you pay for.
• Drip pricing: the price shown is the full price; nothing is added at checkout.
• Disguised advertisement: Escanor shows no advertising.
• Nagging: no repeated upgrade, install or permission prompts; plan prompts appear only where a feature needs a higher plan. The rules reminder every three months is required by law.
• Trick question: consent and confirmation text is plain, with no double negatives.
• SaaS billing: there are no free trials that silently convert; you get an email 3 days before every renewal, and your bank notifies you before each charge.
• Rogue malware: our apps contain no scareware or hidden behaviour, and are downloaded only from escanor.in and GitHub releases we publish.

Tell us if we got something wrong

If anything in Escanor feels designed to trick or pressure you, report it on Grievances. You can also contact the National Consumer Helpline on 1915 or at consumerhelpline.gov.in.