You may not be familiar with the term \u201cdark patterns\u201d but the manipulative design phenomenon is ubiquitous in the apps and services we use every day.<\/p>\n
Dark patterns nudge consumers to make choices that enrich companies, usually at their own expense. That can look like misleading wording that leads someone to sign their personal data away or a hidden button that results in a renewed subscription they\u2019d probably rather cancel.<\/p>\n
If you run across a sketchy dark pattern design, you can now report it on Darkpatternstipline.org<\/a>, a dedicated site hosted by Consumer Reports. The new tip line is a joint project from the EFF, PEN America, Consumer Reports and Access Now, among other digital rights advocates.<\/p>\n Collecting dark pattern reports is an effort that could actually have teeth now, thanks to new laws taking aim at the manipulative design practice.<\/p>\n In March, California modified its landmark privacy law, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), to ban dark patterns in tech\u2019s own backyard<\/a>. \u201cThese protections ensure that consumers will not be confused or misled when seeking to exercise their data privacy rights,\u201d California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said of the new regulations.<\/p>\n Even Congress is worried about dark patterns. In 2019, a bipartisan bill called the DETOUR Act<\/a> sought to outlaw user interfaces \u201cobscuring, subverting, or impairing user autonomy\u201d for large companies with more than 100 million users. While that legislation didn\u2019t go anywhere, coercive design choices are one of the many concerns that lawmakers have on their radar as they seek to implement new federal regulations for Big Tech companies.<\/p>\n Ever run into a bunch of contradictory checkboxes that try to trick you into signing up for someone\u2019s email list? That\u2019s a dark pattern. pic.twitter.com\/7UoR2h0xKc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) April 9, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n For the tip line\u2019s creators, flagging concerns for the regulators shaping tech policy is a priority. \u201cIf we want to stop dark patterns on the internet and beyond, we first have to assess what\u2019s out there, and then use these examples to influence policymakers and lawmakers,\u201d EFF Designer Shirin Mori said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope the Dark Patterns Tip Line will help us move toward more fair, equitable and accessible technology products and services for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Who\u2019s funding privacy tech?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
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