Six ‘dark patterns’ used to manipulate you when shopping online

Dark patterns are on the rise

On 10 July 2024, the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN), under the presidency of the United States’ Federal Trade Commission, announced the results of a review of dark patterns found on websites and apps. These findings were alarming: over 76% of websites examined used at least one dark pattern and nearly 67% used multiple possible dark patterns. These practices were classified according to descriptions from the OECD’s 2022 report Dark Commercial Patterns, which highlights the growing concerns about these practices and how they can harm consumers by steering, deceiving or manipulating them.

Read more here about six dark patterns to watch out for next time you are shopping online.