Dark pattern: Difference between revisions
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A [[wikipedia: | A [[wikipedia:Dark pattern|dark pattern]] is a manipulative design practice that trick or influence 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 |title=Bringing Dark Patterns to Light |url=https://www.ftc.gov/reports/bringing-dark-patterns-light |archive-date=September 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/TZ5v3 |publisher=Federal Trade Commission |date=September 2022}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |last1=Brignull |first1=Harry |title=Dark Patterns: inside the interfaces designed to trick you |url=https://www.deceptive.design/ |archive-date= |archive-url= |website=Deceptive.Design}}</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 news |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |date=2019-11-11 |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/ |access-date=2025-11-08 |work=ZDNET}}</ref> while a 2022 European Commission report indicated that 97% of popular apps used by EU consumers displayed them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lupiáñez-Villanueva |first=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 |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 |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=Publications Office of the EU |doi=10.2838/859030 |isbn=978-92-76-52316-1}}</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 news |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |date=2019-11-11 |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/ |access-date=2025-11-08 |work=ZDNET}}</ref> while a 2022 European Commission report indicated that 97% of popular apps used by EU consumers displayed them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lupiáñez-Villanueva |first=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 |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 |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=Publications Office of the EU |doi=10.2838/859030 |isbn=978-92-76-52316-1}}</ref> | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
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*Noom paid $62 million to settle charges regarding deceptive subscription practices.<ref name=":14">{{cite web |title=Noom to Pay $62 Million |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/03/noom-pay-62-million-settle-ftc-charges-it-misled-consumers-about-its-diet-programs-use-consumer-data |publisher=Federal Trade Commission |date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> | *Noom paid $62 million to settle charges regarding deceptive subscription practices.<ref name=":14">{{cite web |title=Noom to Pay $62 Million |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/03/noom-pay-62-million-settle-ftc-charges-it-misled-consumers-about-its-diet-programs-use-consumer-data |publisher=Federal Trade Commission |date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> | ||
*TikTok received multimillion-euro fines for failing to protect children's data through manipulative consent practices.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-15 |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 |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=Data Protection Commision}}</ref> | *TikTok received multimillion-euro fines for failing to protect children's data through manipulative consent practices.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-15 |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 |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=Data Protection Commision}}</ref> | ||
==Impact on consumers and businesses== | ==Impact on consumers and businesses== | ||
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While dark patterns may deliver short-term benefits , they often create long-term risks for businesses. The erosion of consumer trust can have lasting negative impacts on customer retention and brand reputation. Businesses also face increasing regulatory risks as enforcement actions become more common and severe.<ref name=":0" /> | While dark patterns may deliver short-term benefits , they often create long-term risks for businesses. The erosion of consumer trust can have lasting negative impacts on customer retention and brand reputation. Businesses also face increasing regulatory risks as enforcement actions become more common and severe.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
==Detection, avoidance | ==Detection, avoidance and mitigation== | ||
===Technical detection and tools=== | ===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>{{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}}</ref> The study proposed a Dark Pattern Analysis Framework (DPAF) to address existing gaps. | 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>{{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}}</ref> The study proposed a Dark Pattern Analysis Framework (DPAF) to address existing gaps. | ||
===Ethical design alternatives=== | ===Ethical design alternatives=== | ||
Companies can implement ethical alternatives that respect user autonomy. Providing 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. | Companies can implement ethical alternatives that respect user autonomy. Providing 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. | ||
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==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
*[[Artificial intelligence]] | *[[Artificial intelligence]] | ||