Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Dark pattern

2026-04-12T06:23:22Z

Arren1217: /* Impact on consumers and businesses */ rewrote entire section to not use any AI, might need some touching up as im making this edit very late at night

{{Incomplete}}
{{SloppyAI}}

A {{Wplink|Dark pattern|dark pattern}} is a manipulative design practice that tricks or influences users into making decisions that may not align with their true preferences or interests. These techniques exploit cognitive biases and behavioral psychology to benefit businesses, often at the expense of user autonomy. Initially coined by user experience (UX) designer Harry Brignull in 2010, the concept has evolved into a significant focus of regulatory scrutiny and academic research.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author= |title=Bringing Dark Patterns to Light |url=https://www.ftc.gov/reports/bringing-dark-patterns-light |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=Sep 2022 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251209033209/https://www.ftc.gov/reports/bringing-dark-patterns-light |archive-date=9 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Brignull |first1=Harry |last2=Leiser |first2=Mark |last3=Santos |first3=Cristiana |last4=Doshi |first4=Kosha |display-authors=2 |title=Dark Patterns: inside the interfaces designed to trick you |url=https://www.deceptive.design/ |website=Deceptive.Design |date=25 Apr 2023 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260322200149/https://www.deceptive.design/ |archive-date=22 Mar 2026}}</ref>

The prevalence of dark patterns is remarkably widespread, and they represent a growing concern in digital interfaces. A 2019 study examining 11,000 e-commerce websites found approximately 10% employed deceptive practices,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |title=Study of over 11,000 online stores finds 'dark patterns' on 1,254 sites |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/user-interface-dark-patterns-are-becoming-common-on-online-stores/ |website=ZDNET |date=11 Nov 2019 |access-date=8 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114035001/https://www.zdnet.com/article/user-interface-dark-patterns-are-becoming-common-on-online-stores/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> while a 2022 European Commission report indicated that 97% of popular apps used by EU consumers displayed them.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lupiáñez-Villanueva |first1=Francisco |last2=Boluda |first2=Alba |last3=Bogliacino |first3=Francesco |last4=Liva |first4=Giovanni |last5=Lechardoy |first5=Lucie |last6=Ballell |first6=Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras |display-authors=2 |title=Behavioural study on unfair commercial practices in the digital environment |url=https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/606365bc-d58b-11ec-a95f-01aa75ed71a1/language-en |website=Publications Office of the EU |date=Apr 2022 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118190152/https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/606365bc-d58b-11ec-a95f-01aa75ed71a1/language-en |archive-date=18 Jan 2026 |doi=10.2838/859030 |isbn=978-92-76-52316-1}}</ref>

==Definition and terminology==
The term ''dark patterns'' was originally defined by Harry Brignull as ''"design tricks that manipulate users into taking actions they didn't intend to".'' The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) describes them as ''"design practices that trick or manipulate users into making choices they would not otherwise have made and that may cause harm".''<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

There is ongoing discussion regarding the most appropriate terminology. Alternative labels include ''deceptive design'', ''manipulative UX'', ''coercive design'', or ''anti-patterns''. Some advocates argue for terms like ''deceptive patterns'' to more accurately describe the intentional nature of these designs and avoid potential racial connotations. Brignull himself has transitioned to using ''deceptive.design''.<ref name=":1" />

What distinguishes dark patterns from merely persuasive design is their exploitative nature – they are not about creating value for users but about benefiting the service provider through manipulation and deception.

==Common types and examples==
Research has identified numerous specific dark patterns, with one comprehensive study proposing a taxonomy comprising 68 distinct types. These manifest across various industries and digital contexts.<ref name=":3" />

===Obstruction patterns===
These designs make desired actions (like rejecting tracking) significantly more difficult than accepting alternatives. A classic example is the ''Roach Motel'' pattern, where signing up for a service is straightforward but cancellation is excessively difficult. The FTC highlighted this pattern in their case against ABCmouse, where cancellation was made "extremely difficult" despite promising "Easy Cancellation".<ref>{{Cite web |author=Keller and Heckman LLP |title=FTC Targets Negative Option Schemes in Two Multimillion Dollar Settlements |url=https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=a2def591-a71f-477d-8f39-55f9b40ec125 |website=Lexology |date=28 Sep 2020 |access-date=28 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114165251/https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=a2def591-a71f-477d-8f39-55f9b40ec125 |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>

===Interface interference===
This category includes designs that manipulate interface elements to steer user behavior. Misdirection focuses user attention on one element to obscure another critical detail. Disguised ads blend advertisements with genuine interface elements, like fake "Download" buttons on software websites.<ref name=":0" />

===Forced action===
These patterns require users to complete unnecessary actions to access desired functionality. [[Forced account|Forced registration]] demands that users create an account to complete a task. Forced continuity involves automatically transitioning users from free trials to paid subscriptions without adequate notification. The FTC alleged that [[Adobe]] violated regulations by ''"tricking customers into enrolling in subscription plans without proper disclosure".''<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |author= |title=FTC Charges Adobe |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=17 Jun 2024 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617162513/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling |archive-date=17 Jun 2024}}</ref>

===Sneaking and information hiding===
These practices involve concealing or obscuring material information from users. Hidden costs reveal unexpected fees only at checkout, a practice employed by ticketing platforms. Drip pricing advertises only part of a product's total price initially and then imposes other mandatory charges later.<ref name=":0" />

===Social proof and urgency===
These patterns exploit social influence and time pressure to manipulate decisions. False activity messages misrepresent site activity or product popularity. False scarcity creates pressure to buy immediately by claiming limited inventory. Baseless countdown timers display fake countdown clocks that reset when expired.

==Mind tricks and business incentives==
===Cognitive biases exploitation===
Dark patterns trick users by taking advantage of unconscious thoughts. For example, in [[Web cookie|cookie]] banners the "Accept All" option is the first option listed and uses a green background. People tend to choose the first option before considering others. Green is associated with good in design. In cookie banners, there is also a "Manage my choices" option that typically involves opting out of each data collection category or website one at a time. It is easier for users to accept all cookies than to decline them, due to using dark patterns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stroink-Skillrud |first=Donata |title=Your Cookie Consent Banner is (Probably) Not Compliant |url=https://mainwp.com/cookie-consent-banner-probably-not-compliant/ |website=MainWP |date=2 Feb 2023 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216033732/https://mainwp.com/cookie-consent-banner-probably-not-compliant/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Keyser |first=Robert |date=2023-10-05 |title=Cookie Consent Dark Patterns: How to Identify and Fix Them |url=https://www.ethyca.com/news/all-about-dark-patterns |access-date=2025-08-11 |website=Ethyca |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251212062415/https://www.ethyca.com/news/all-about-dark-patterns |archive-date=12 Dec 2025}}</ref>

===Incentives and short-term gains===
''Editor note: This section is overly technical language and needs to be simplified, as well as include citations. It's also clearly made by AI/LLM.''

The persistence of dark patterns is driven by their effectiveness in achieving short-term business objectives like increased conversion rates. Additionally, the competitive landscape fosters copycat behavior, as companies mimic their rivals' strategies.

Research suggests these short-term gains often come with long-term consequences. Studies indicate that "once users feel manipulated, they don't just avoid your settings—they avoid your brand". The erosion of trust can have significant business implications.

==Legal and regulatory landscape==
===United States framework===
In the United States, regulation occurs primarily through existing consumer protection statutes. The FTC Act empowers the Federal Trade Commission to take action against "unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce".<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |author= |title=FTC Act |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/federal-trade-commission-act |website=Federal Trade Commission |date= |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260127043048/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/federal-trade-commission-act |archive-date=27 Jan 2026}}</ref>

In October 2024, the FTC amended its Negative Option Rule to include specific requirements for cancellation mechanisms, implementing a "Click-to-Cancel" provision.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |author= |title=Federal Trade Commission Announces Final “Click-to-Cancel” Rule Making It Easier for Consumers to End Recurring Subscriptions and Memberships |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/10/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-click-cancel-rule-making-it-easier-consumers-end-recurring |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=16 Oct 2024 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241017023655/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/10/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-click-cancel-rule-making-it-easier-consumers-end-recurring |archive-date=17 Oct 2024}}</ref> The FTC later voted on 9 May 2025 to extend the original 14 May 2025 compliance deadline by sixty days.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=FTC Votes on Negative Option Rule Deadline |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/05/ftc-votes-negative-option-rule-deadline |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=9 May 2025 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510094522/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/05/ftc-votes-negative-option-rule-deadline |archive-date=10 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ferguson |first1=Andrew N. |last2=Holyoak |first2=Melissa |last3=Meador |first3=Mark R. |title=Statement of the Commission Regarding the Negative Option Rule |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/statement-commission-regarding-negative-option-rule |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=9 May 2025 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510094652/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/statement-commission-regarding-negative-option-rule |archive-date=10 May 2025}}</ref>

On 8 July 2025, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the entire 2024 change to the Negative Option Rule on procedural grounds in ''Custom Communications, Inc. v. Federal Trade Commission''.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Click to Cancel Just Got Cancelled: Eighth Circuit Vacates Entirety of FTC’s Negative Option Rule |url=https://www.cooley.com/news/insight/2025/2025-07-11-click-to-cancel-just-got-cancelled-eighth-circuit-vacates-entirety-of-ftcs-negative-option-rule |website=Cooley |date=11 Jul 2025 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725091941/https://www.cooley.com/news/insight/2025/2025-07-11-click-to-cancel-just-got-cancelled-eighth-circuit-vacates-entirety-of-ftcs-negative-option-rule |archive-date=25 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Conkle |first1=Brooke |last2=Cover |first2=Jason |last3=Capurso |first3=Chris |last4=Gess |first4=Taylor |last5=McCrory |first5=Carlin |display-authors=2 |title=Eighth Circuit Vacates FTC’s Negative Option Rule for Procedural Violations |url=https://www.consumerfinancialserviceslawmonitor.com/2025/07/eighth-circuit-vacates-ftcs-negative-option-rule-for-procedural-violations/ |website=Consumer Financial Services Law Monitor |date=10 Jul 2024
|access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719115748/https://www.consumerfinancialserviceslawmonitor.com/2025/07/eighth-circuit-vacates-ftcs-negative-option-rule-for-procedural-violations/ |archive-date=19 Jul 2025}}</ref> Despite the legal setback, the FTC carried out findings against [[Match.com]], [[Chegg|Chegg Inc.]], [[Cleo AI]] and [[Amazon]] based on the [[Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act]] (ROSCA) and Section 5 of the FTC Act.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Goodrich |first1=Brian J. |last2=Genn |first2=Benjamin |last3=Cornelius |first3=Ceijenia J. |display-authors=2 |title=FTC Steps Up Subscription Enforcement After "Click to Cancel" Rule Struck Down |url=https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/09/ftc-steps-up-subscription-enforcement-after-click-to-cancel-rule |website=Holland & Knight |date=25 Sep 2025 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250926172425/https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/09/ftc-steps-up-subscription-enforcement-after-click-to-cancel-rule |archive-date=26 Sep 2025}}</ref>

On 30 January 2026, the FTC indicated renewed interest in updating the Negative Option Rule by submitting a draft Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=FTC Submits Draft ANPRM Related to Negative Option Plans to OMB for Review |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/01/ftc-submits-draft-anprm-related-negative-option-plans-omb-review |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=30 Jan 2026 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131094626/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/01/ftc-submits-draft-anprm-related-negative-option-plans-omb-review |archive-date=31 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=U.S. FTC Signals Renewed Interest in “Click-to-Cancel” Rulemaking |url=https://www.sidley.com/en/insights/newsupdates/2026/02/us-ftc-signals-renewed-interest-in-click-to-cancel-rulemaking |website=Sidley |date=9 Feb 2026 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260322231433/https://www.sidley.com/en/insights/newsupdates/2026/02/us-ftc-signals-renewed-interest-in-click-to-cancel-rulemaking |archive-date=22 Mar 2026}}</ref> It was opened to public comment on 11 Mar 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=FTC Seeks Public Comment in Response to Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Negative Option Marketing Practices |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/03/ftc-seeks-public-comment-response-advance-notice-proposed-rulemaking-regarding-negative-option |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=11 Mar 2026 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260311190304/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/03/ftc-seeks-public-comment-response-advance-notice-proposed-rulemaking-regarding-negative-option |archive-date=11 Mar 2026}}</ref>


===European Union's approach===
The European approach combines general consumer protection laws with data privacy-specific regulations. While the [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR) doesn't explicitly mention dark patterns, its requirements for valid consent effectively prohibit many deceptive designs.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |author= |title=Guidelines on Dark Patterns in Social Media Platform Interfaces |url=https://www.edpb.europa.eu/our-work-tools/our-documents/guidelines/guidelines-032022-deceptive-design-patterns-social-media_en |website=European Data Protection Board |date=14 Feb 2023 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226175323/https://www.edpb.europa.eu/our-work-tools/our-documents/guidelines/guidelines-032022-deceptive-design-patterns-social-media_en |archive-date=26 Feb 2023}}</ref>

The [[Digital Services Act]] (DSA) and [[Digital Markets Act]] (DMA) further address dark patterns by prohibiting practices that "deceive or manipulate" users.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |author=
|title=Digital Services Act |url=https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/digital-services-act |website=European Commission |date= |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216033823/https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/digital-services-act |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Enforcement cases and penalties===
Recent years have seen significant enforcement actions:
*[[Epic Games]] paid $245 million to settle charges related to deceptive patterns in [[Fortnite]].<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |author= |title=Epic Games to Pay $245 Million |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/12/fortnite-video-game-maker-epic-games-pay-more-half-billion-dollars-over-ftc-allegations |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=19 Dec 2022 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219203844/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/12/fortnite-video-game-maker-epic-games-pay-more-half-billion-dollars-over-ftc-allegations |archive-date=19 Dec 2022}}</ref>
*[[Noom]] paid $62 million to settle charges regarding deceptive subscription practices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Ayumi |title=Noom to Pay $62M to Customers Forced Into Renewals They Didn’t Want |url=https://www.newsweek.com/noom-pay-62m-customers-forced-renewals-they-didnt-want-1679045 |website=Newsweek |date=14 Feb 2022 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214194149/https://www.newsweek.com/noom-pay-62m-customers-forced-renewals-they-didnt-want-1679045 |archive-date=14 Feb 2022}}</ref>

*[[TikTok]] received a €345 million fine for failing to protect children's data through manipulative consent practices.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Irish Data Protection Commission announces €345 million fine of TikTok |url=https://www.dataprotection.ie/en/news-media/press-releases/DPC-announces-345-million-euro-fine-of-TikTok |website=Data Protection Commission |date=15 Sep 2023 |access-date=22 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260201165638/https://www.dataprotection.ie/en/news-media/press-releases/DPC-announces-345-million-euro-fine-of-TikTok |archive-date=1 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Impact on consumers and businesses==
===Consumer harms===
A dark pattern is harmful to consumers in many ways, often leading to financial loss, violations of privacy, and emotional distress.

Dark patterns could manipulate consumers financially by faking urgency, importance, scarcity, and sales to trick them into making purchases they might not have made if they were able to make a properly informed decision.

They could also be used violate the consumers privacy by hiding information on what data a service collects and how that data is used, and hiding or excluding options to stop data collection or delete already collected data.

The above examples of how consumers may be affected are often combined with or directly involve dark patterns that cause emotional distress, often attempting to frustrate the consumer enough to accept what patterns are being used against them, and stop looking for any in-site settings or other methods to bypass the patterns.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":11" />

The most vulnerable consumers are those who are unfamiliar with computers and the internet, and those with mental or physical disabilities that impair them from either recognizing dark patterns or avoiding them if possible.

===Impact on businesses===
Dark patterns are often effective enough to be used by a wide range of businesses regardless of how successful they are. Even when consumers discover that a service they use contains dark patterns, they're highly unlikely to stop using the service or inform other users which in turn makes it highly unlikely a business will stop using dark patterns. Despite consumer backlash being unlikely to lead to any change, many dark patterns violate consumer protection laws and could lead to heavy lawsuits against businesses which are much more effective.<ref name=":0" />

==Detection, avoidance and mitigation==
''Editor note: This entire section reads as LLM.''
===Technical detection and tools===
Efforts to automatically detect dark patterns are evolving but face significant challenges. A comprehensive study found that existing tools could only identify 31 of 68 identified dark pattern types, a coverage rate of just 45.5%.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Meng |last2=Wang |first2=Xiang |last3=Nei |first3=Liming |last4=Li |first4=Chenglin |last5=Liu |first5=Yang |last6=Zhao |first6=Yangyang |last7=Xue |first7=Lei |last8=Kabir Sulaiman |first8=Said |date=2024-12-12 |title=[2412.09147] A Comprehensive Study on Dark Patterns |url=https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.09147 |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=arXiv |doi=10.48550/arXiv.2412.09147 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251109221611/https://www.arxiv.org/abs/2412.09147 |archive-date=9 Nov 2025}}</ref> The study proposed a Dark Pattern Analysis Framework (DPAF) to address existing gaps.

===Ethical design alternatives===
Companies can implement ethical alternatives that respect user autonomy. They should provide a balanced choice architecture where users can decline as easily as they accept represents an ethical approach for obstruction patterns. Designers should implement neutral default settings that don't assume consent.<ref name=":2" />

Transparency and clear communication are essential. Companies should provide honest explanations of data practices and costs in clear, understandable language.

===Consumer protection and advocacy===
Consumer education plays a crucial role. Initiatives like the Dark Patterns Tip Line allow users to report deceptive designs they encounter. Advocacy organizations provide resources to help identify and avoid dark patterns.<ref name=":1" />

==Further reading==
*[[Artificial intelligence]]

==Gallery==
Examples of dark patterns, with notes.

===[[Carly]]===
<gallery style="text-align:left" widths="250px">
File:MyCarly website cookies dark pattern.png|alt=An example of MyCarly.com manipulating the user by minimizing the appearance of the "More" option while emphasizing only the "Accept" button.|An example of manipulating the user by minimizing the noticeability of the "More" option while emphasizing only the "Accept" button.
File:MyCarly website cookies 1.png|Diving deeper shows Marketing enabled by default and using a color to match the font text. The "Deny" option is dark text and uses a light-gray color border that is both harder to see and generally associated with denial of action.
File:MyCarly website cookies 2.png|Mixpanel is labeled as "essential", but hidden within the collapsed section is an explanation that it's a tracker. MyCarly may genuinely consider it necessary, but a tracker is still a tracker. Google Tag Manager is also enabled by default, with the same issue as the previous image.
</gallery>

===[[The Economist]]===
<gallery style="text-align:left" widths="250px">
File:The Economist website cookies dark pattern.png|The message that appears on user's visit to the website. Cookie management is located closely above the bright Continue button.
File:The Economist website cookies.png|"Do not sell or share" is enabled by default, but comes with a disclaimer. (See file page for further notes.)
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Anti-consumer practices]]
[[Category:Common terms]]

EA requires Battlefield 6 players to change motherboard settings

2026-03-03T05:57:14Z

Arren1217: /* Gigabyte motherboards bricking issue */ reworded for better tone and grammar

{{Incomplete}}
{{OngoingEvent}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=EA
|StartDate=2025-08-01
|EndDate=
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Battlefield 6
|Product=Battlefield 6
|ArticleType=Incident
|Type=Forced Migration
|Description=The Battlefield 6 beta requires Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and GPT formatted storage for its proprietary anti-cheat.
}}

In August of 2025, [[Electronic Arts]] (EA) launched an open beta for their upcoming release, Battlefield 6. Like other new EA titles, Battlefield 6 uses [[EA moves to in-house kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase|EA's proprietary anti-cheat system]], which requires the enabling of Secure Boot<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-04 |title=Battlefield 6 Secure Boot Information |url=https://www.ea.com/en/games/battlefield/battlefield-6/news/secure-boot-information |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Electronic Arts |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251019110852/https://www.ea.com/en/games/battlefield/battlefield-6/news/secure-boot-information |archive-date=19 Oct 2025}}</ref>, a [[wikipedia:Trusted_Platform_Module|TPM 2.0 chip]], and a storage disk with [[wikipedia:GUID_Partition_Table|GPT]] formatting as opposed to [[wikipedia:Master_boot_record|MBR]] formatting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-01 |title=How to use Secure Boot on your PC |url=https://help.ea.com/en/articles/technical-issues/secure-boot/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=EA Help |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260209225153/https://help.ea.com/en/articles/technical-issues/secure-boot/ |archive-date=9 Feb 2026}}</ref>

These strict technically detailed requirements caused frustration among PC users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Secure Boot Megathread - Guide + Community support |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Battlefield/comments/1miaynl/secure_boot_megathread_guide_community_support/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Reddit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250816171507/https://old.reddit.com/r/Battlefield/comments/1miaynl/secure_boot_megathread_guide_community_support/ |archive-date=16 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-04 |title=Secure boot |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Battlefield/comments/1mhodty/secure_boot/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Reddit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223040817/https://old.reddit.com/r/Battlefield/comments/1mhodty/secure_boot/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> As the game is an open beta there can still be changes to this system. Currently, the game is unplayable on the [[wikipedia:Steam_Deck|Steam Deck]] and on [[wikipedia:Linux|Linux systems]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=@TECC |date=2025-08-06 |title=#EA has confirmed that #Battlefield 6 will be completely unplayable on #Linux systems, including #SteamDeck, due to its new kernel-level anti-cheat system, “EA Javelin,” which explicitly blocks Linux. |url=https://social.tchncs.de/@73CC/114981363363168732 |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Mastodon |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250806143922/https://social.tchncs.de/@73CC/114981363363168732 |archive-date=6 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Klotz |first=Aaron |date=2025-08-02 |title=Battlefield 6's Javelin anti-cheat Secure Boot requirement could kill its Steam Deck support |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/battlefield-6s-javelin-anti-cheat-secure-boot-requirement-could-kill-its-steam-deck-support |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Tom's Hardware |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251213080741/https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/battlefield-6s-javelin-anti-cheat-secure-boot-requirement-could-kill-its-steam-deck-support |archive-date=13 Dec 2025}}</ref> According to open beta tester 'TECC', it appears that these requirements apply to the entire game, including single-player modes and private multi-player servers.<ref name=":0" /> They point out that EA uses open source tools for their game (Godot game engine<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodchild |first=Wayne |date=2025-08-01 |title=EA Lets Players Blow Things Up Real Good in Battlefield 6 (And Use Godot to Edit Maps) |url=https://www.eneba.com/hub/news/blow-things-up-real-good-in-battlefield-6-and-use-godot-to-edit-maps/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Eneba Hub |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223040855/https://www.eneba.com/hub/news/blow-things-up-real-good-in-battlefield-6-and-use-godot-to-edit-maps/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>), but makes the game unplayable on systems built by open source software, which are the Linux systems in this case.

==Battlefield 6 requirements==
===EA's response===
There has not been a response yet, as the event was recent at the time of writing the article.

==Consumer response==

Generally people are dissatisfied with these requirements, as it is explicitly exclusionary to users on older PC hardware and/or open source operating systems.

==Gigabyte motherboards bricking issue==
Some users noted that after enabling secure boot on Gigabyte/Aorus motherboards their computers were bricked to various degrees, including needing to completely reflash UEFI firmware<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title="Secure boot" bricked my PC |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/2807960/discussions/0/600786083350153637/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251017193122/https://steamcommunity.com/app/2807960/discussions/0/600786083350153637/ |archive-date=17 Oct 2025}}</ref>. This is not entirely an EA anticheat issue, but regardless requires changing settings that the average user may not understand.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:EA Anti-cheat]]
[[Category:Battlefield 6]]

<references />

Games as a service

2026-02-19T22:38:34Z

Arren1217: /* Ubisoft */ rewrote XDefiants section under Ubisoft to fix a problem with a duplicate sentence

{{Main|Software as a service}}
'''[[wikipedia:Games_as_a_service|Games as a service]]''' (also known as live-service games) is a business model designed to monetize games after their initial sale or free download. It is typically through new updates, [[downloadable content]], and [[microtransaction]]s. This model exists in opposition to the traditional method of purchasing a game that can be used and played indefinitely, with no additional transactions required beyond the initial purchase.

A common practice in this model is allowing players to pre-purchase content with the promise that it will be released at a specified time and will include all features advertised in the product's listing. Games as a service also often feature one or more premium currencies, which players purchase with real-world currency to acquire in-game items.

==Issues==
While GaaS incentivizes developers to keep producing content for their game, the game often risks becoming completely unplayable once support is discontinued.<ref>{{cite web|author=Accursed Farms|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w70Xc9CStoE|title=The largest campaign ever to stop publishers destroying games|website=YouTube|access-date=2025-01-24}}</ref> There is very little legal recourse for the user to recoup the cost of purchasing the game or its in-game content. The [[End-user license agreement|End-User License Agreement (EULA)]] typically disclaims the publisher's obligation to refund or compensate users, as it clarifies that they are purchasing a license rather than owning the software outright.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kelleherbros.com/blog/2024/3/27/digital-ownership-2-the-eula-era|title=Precarious Digital Ownership: The EULA Era|website=kelleherbros.com|access-date=2025-01-28}}</ref>

Additionally, in some scenarios, content offered and even sold on GaaS may also be discontinued or revoked from consumers while the service continues.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Phil |date=Aug 23, 2020 |title=Here's everything being removed from Destiny 2 at the end of this season—it's a lot |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/heres-everything-being-removed-from-destiny-2-at-the-end-of-this-seasonits-a-lot/ |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=PC Gamer}}</ref>

==Examples==

===Ubisoft===
{{Main|Ubisoft}}
XDefiant, developed by Ubisoft, is an example of a game-as-a-service. On December 3, 2024, the game announced its servers would shut down on June 3, 2025.<ref name=":0">[https://archive.is/ueESQ "'XDEFIANT IS SUNSETTING' Tweet"] - archive.is - archived 2025-01-28</ref> 49 days before the shutdown announcement, XDefiants executive producer Mark Rubin<ref>[https://archive.is/nEche "Mark Rubin Profile"] - archive.is - archived 2025-01-28</ref> posted online that the game had no plans to shut down after season 4 despite still being in season 2, and that they were recently discussing plans internally for the second year of content.<ref>[https://archive.is/XmekP "Mark Rubin claims NO plans to shut down after season 4"] - archive.is - archived 2025-01-28</ref> The shutdown post announced that the last 30 days of purchases would be fully refunded.<ref name=":0" />

The shutdown of ''The Crew'' is one of the central issues of the [[Stop Killing Games]] campaign. Despite the game containing some code for an offline mode<ref>[https://steamcommunity.com/app/241560/discussions/0/3803901559414708777/ Offline Mode is in the game] steamcommunity.com - accessed 2025-02-06</ref> from the start, it was not made accessible to the user due to the game's [[Digital rights management|digital rights management]] (DRM) <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qKNY64-QSc The Crew Offline Mode - Setting The Record Straight] youtube.com - accessed 2025-01-28 </ref>, leaving the game in a completely unplayable state.

===EA===
{{Main|Electronic Arts}}
On July 3, 2025, EA announced that [[Anthem]], a game developed by BioWare and published by EA, will have its servers shut down on January 12, 2026.<ref name=":022">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Anthem Game Update |url=https://www.ea.com/games/anthem/news/anthem-game-update |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704091220/https://www.ea.com/games/anthem/news/anthem-game-update |archive-date=2025-07-04 |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=EA}}</ref> As the title was developed exclusively under the live-service model, the closure of the servers will render the game unplayable.<ref name=":022" />

===Bungie===
{{Main|Bungie}}
The [[wikipedia:Destiny_(video_game_series)|Destiny]] franchise is Bungie's primary source of revenue{{CitationNeeded}}, and its most recent title, Destiny 2, has featured a significant amount of content offered in the game that has been forcibly vaulted by the company.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glagowski |first=Peter |date=Jun 9, 2020 |title=Bungie To Remove Four Planets And All But Three Raids From Destiny 2 |url=https://www.thegamer.com/destiny-2-content-removal/ |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=The Gamer}}</ref> Most notably, player-purchased content, including single-player content that shouldn't necessitate access to a server, has been removed from the game.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=The_Observer |date=Jun 18, 2021 |title=How could Bungie get away so easily with removing paid content from Destiny 2? |url=https://www.neogaf.com/threads/how-could-bungie-get-away-so-easily-with-removing-paid-content-from-destiny-2.1610927/ |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |website=NeoGAF}}</ref> In mid-2022, Bungie did promise to stop removing content from the game,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gach |first=Ethan |date=Aug 23, 2022 |title=Destiny 2 Promises No More Axing Old Parts Of Game, Something That Players Hated |url=https://kotaku.com/destiny-2-lightfall-vaulting-sunset-forsaken-expansion-1849446608 |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=Kotaku}}</ref> but not all legacy content has been reintroduced to the game.<ref>{{Cite news |last=GB Times Gaming Team |date=Mar 21, 2025 |title=Why is Bungie Removing Content from Destiny 2? The Content Vault Controversy Explained |url=https://gbtimes.com/gaming/why-is-bungie-removing-content/ |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=GB Times}}</ref>

Bungie's previous GaaS title, Destiny, requires an always-online connection, and while the company has stated that they will maintain legacy support for both modern platforms,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bungie |title=Legacy Support for Destiny 1 Activities |url=https://help.bungie.net/hc/en-us/articles/360049201951-Legacy-Support-for-Destiny-1-Activities |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |website=Bungie Help}}</ref> and legacy console editions,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bungie |title=Destiny 1 on Legacy Consoles |url=https://help.bungie.net/hc/en-us/articles/360049497531-Destiny-1-on-Legacy-Consoles |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |website=Bungie Help}}</ref> it is plausible due to software degradation for the servers<ref>{{Cite news |last=MorphNeo |date=Jul 29, 2024 |title=Destiny 1 - Have they really SHUT IT DOWN? - Error: This version of Destiny is no longer available. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfYzX58wMBs |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=YouTube}}</ref> though, that the title could eventually become unplayable for consumers, especially as error frequency grows more common over time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=javagat10 |date=Jan 29, 2023 |title=Destiny Server issue on Xbox 360. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/10o1t6l/destiny_server_issue_on_xbox_360/ |access-date=Mar 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ICE BREAKER (Timelost) |date=Jul 19, 2025 |title=Is destiny1 servers shut down permanently? |url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/264186352?page=0 |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |website=Bungie Forums}}</ref>

Bungie has also announced ''{{Wplink|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon_(upcoming_video_game)|Marathon}}'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bungie |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Bungie Announces Marathon; Nathan Fillion To Return to Destiny 2 for The Final Shape Expansion |url=https://press.bungie.com/Bungie-Announces-Marathon-Nathan-Fillion-To-Return-to-Destiny-2-for-Th |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=Bungie Press Room}}</ref> a reboot for their older franchise. This game has the plausibility to release as a live service title as well, considering Bungie's recent history with their games.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Services]]
[[Category:Common terms]]