Some business practices on the internet may not be against the law, but they undermine or manipulate consumer choice. Legal advocates have coined a new name for this practice: dark patterns. Difficult ...

MORE. IT’S A TERM THAT’S BEEN USED IN THE ONLINE WORLD FOR A FEW YEARS NOW, BUT NOW FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION IS TRYING TO SHINE SOME LIGHT ON WHAT ARE KNOWN AS DARK PATTERNS USE TO TRICK YOU INTO ...

While these deceptive practices may offer short-term gains for companies, they ultimately undermine consumer trust and can lead to significant legal repercussions. In the increasingly digital world, ...

Tech companies, subscription apps and e-commerce sites have for years used subtle tricks to nudge people toward a decision or purchase they might not otherwise make. There's even a name for the ...

Even if you’ve never heard the term “dark pattern” before, you’ve likely come across one. Consumer Reports provides a list of examples in a tweet, and on the tip line’s site, but there are entire ...

With the coronavirus pandemic shutting things down worldwide and fear and uncertainty on the rise, consumers need trusted sources of information more than ever before. Unfortunately, falling consumer ...

Experts are warning consumers about shady online business practices that the Federal Trade Commission and tech insiders refer to as “dark patterns.” “By their very nature, dark patterns are subtle, ...

On 9 February 2026, Treasury announced a consultation on draft laws proposed to amend the Australian Consumer Law ( ACL) to strengthen consumer protection by introducing targeted reforms on ...

Anyone who’s been online in the last decade probably recognizes “dark patterns,” design tactics used on websites and apps that trick users into doing something — buying something, agreeing to ...