The Fact
In a 2022 staff report, the Federal Trade Commission described “dark patterns” as digital design practices that can trick or manipulate consumers into choices they might not otherwise make. The FTC documented examples including advertisements disguised as independent content, cancellation processes made difficult, important fees or terms buried or delayed, and interface designs that steer people toward sharing more personal information.
What This Means
The design of an online choice is not always neutral. Websites and apps can be built in ways that make one action easier, more visible, or more likely than another. This is a documented mechanism by which digital systems can influence consumer behavior without changing the underlying product itself.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, Bringing Dark Patterns to Light, staff report, September 2022.