Call for Chapters: The Architecture of Deception – ISBN Book | No Publication Fee | Submit by Oct 30, 2026
The Chair on Consumer Research and Policy (CCRP), National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi, invites original and unpublished manuscripts for an upcoming edited book titled The Architecture of Deception: Consumers, Dark Patterns and the Limits of Consent.
The book will examine dark patterns, consumer protection and the limits of consent in digital marketplaces. Therefore, contributors can explore how deceptive or manipulative digital interfaces affect consumer choice and how the law can respond to such practices.
The call is open to academicians, legal practitioners, policy professionals, research scholars, doctoral candidates and law students. Interdisciplinary contributors from fields such as economics, public policy, business and technology may also submit, provided their work engages with consumer protection, market regulation or consumer rights.
About the Organisation
The National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi, was established by the Government of Jharkhand under the National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi Act, 2010.
The university offers programmes including B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., Ph.D. in Law and postgraduate diploma programmes.
In October 2024, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, established the Chair on Consumer Research and Policy (CCRP) at NUSRL. The Chair focuses on research, teaching and training in Consumer Law. It also works as a think tank on consumer affairs and related policy issues.
About the Book
The Architecture of Deception: Consumers, Dark Patterns and the Limits of Consent is an edited volume that examines dark patterns as a structural challenge to the idea of free and informed consumer choice.
In particular, the book seeks critical contributions on how consumer law can recognise harm caused by deceptive or manipulative digital interfaces. It also explores legal remedies where consent may not result from a genuinely free choice and considers accountability for conduct that operates through digital design.
Theme
The central theme of the book is consumers, dark patterns and the limits of consent in digital marketplaces.
Accordingly, contributors may examine the legal, regulatory and policy challenges created by manipulative interface design and related digital practices.
Suggested Themes and Sub-Themes
1. Defining and Detecting Dark Patterns
Contributors may examine the CCPA (Prevention of Dark Patterns) Guidelines, 2023, along with different classifications of dark patterns. Possible areas include drip pricing, confirmshaming, forced action, false urgency, nagging and basket sneaking.
Additionally, submissions may compare regulatory definitions in India, the European Union and the United States. Authors may also examine the challenges involved in developing a universal standard for identifying dark patterns.
2. Consent as a Legal Fiction
This theme focuses on how interface design can influence or manufacture consumer consent. Possible areas include pre-ticked boxes, disguised advertisements, cookie banners and subscription traps.
Furthermore, contributors may examine whether contract law can adequately address consent that results from manipulated digital interfaces.
3. Platforms, Algorithms and Behavioural Exploitation
Submissions may explore how digital platforms use personalisation, targeted marketing and algorithms to influence consumer behaviour.
Authors may also examine dynamic and drip pricing, recommender systems, infinite scrolling and engagement-maximising design as potential forms of consumer harm.
4. Vulnerable Users in a Manipulated Marketplace
Contributors may examine the impact of dark patterns on vulnerable users. Possible areas include children and gamified purchasing systems, elderly and first-time digital users, and gig workers.
In addition, submissions may consider dark patterns affecting gig workers during platform onboarding, ratings and payout processes.
5. Enforcement, Remedies and Institutional Response
This theme covers the enforcement and institutional challenges surrounding dark patterns. Contributors may examine CCPA enforcement actions involving e-commerce and edtech platforms.
They may also explore the jurisdictional overlap between the CCPA, CCI and sectoral regulators. Moreover, submissions can examine private remedies under Section 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, contract law or tort law.
Submission Categories
The call accepts the following categories:
- Articles: 5,000–6,000 words
- Short Articles: 2,500–4,000 words
- Legislative Comments: 1,500–2,500 words
- Book Reviews: 1,000–2,500 words
The prescribed word limits include footnotes.
Eligibility
The call is open to:
- Academicians and faculty members.
- Legal practitioners and policy professionals.
- Research scholars and doctoral candidates.
- Undergraduate and postgraduate students from recognised universities and institutions.
- Interdisciplinary contributors from fields such as law, economics, public policy, business and technology.
However, interdisciplinary submissions must engage with consumer protection, market regulation or consumer rights.
Submission Guidelines
Authors must ensure that their submissions meet the following requirements:
- The manuscript must be original, unpublished and not under consideration elsewhere.
- Authors must submit the manuscript in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx).
- A separate cover page must include the author’s name, institutional affiliation or designation, contact email and phone number.
- Authors must submit the cover page separately from the main manuscript.
- Each submission can have a maximum of two authors.
- The manuscript must not reveal the author’s name or institutional affiliation because the organisers will conduct a blind peer review.
Formatting Guidelines
Authors should follow these formatting requirements:
- Font: Times New Roman
- Main text: 12 pt
- Footnotes: 10 pt
- Headings and sub-headings: 16/14 pt
- Main text spacing: 1.5
- Footnote spacing: Single
- Alignment: Justified
- Citation style: Bluebook, 21st Edition
Plagiarism and Use of AI
Submissions must be original and free from plagiarism. The organisers discourage the use of generative AI tools for drafting substantive portions of the manuscript.
Therefore, authors remain responsible for the accuracy, originality and integrity of their submissions.
Publication Details
Selected submissions will be published as chapters in an accredited book bearing an ISBN.
Importantly, the organisers have stated that submission and publication are completely free of cost. In addition, each author will receive one complimentary copy of the published volume.
Important Dates
| Particulars | Date |
|---|---|
| Release of Call for Chapters | September 27, 2026 |
| Last Date for Paper Submission | October 30, 2026 |
| First Phase of Acceptance | November 10, 2026 |
| Editorial Feedback | November 12, 2026 |
| Release of Book Name | November 14, 2026 |
| Final Acceptance | November 20, 2026 |
| Publication | November–December 2026 |
The organisers have stated that these dates are tentative and may change at their discretion.
How to Submit?
Authors must submit their manuscripts in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format through the submission form provided by the organisers.
Submission Link: Click here to submit your manuscript
Contact Details
Contact Person: Aditi Vivek Singh, Student Editor-in-Chief, CCRP, NUSRL
Phone: 8957370313
Email: ccrp@nusrlranchi.ac.in
