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Dark patterns are design features used to deceive, steer, or manipulate users into behavior that is profitable for an online service, but often harmful to users or contrary to their intent.
For years, the @FTC has allowed dark patterns to fester online.
For years, the @FTC has allowed dark patterns to fester online.
The @FTC has many tools to combat dark patterns by large firms, like:
- Issuing interpretive rules defining unlawful dark patterns
- Enlisting designer whistleblowers and complainants
- Stepping up enforcement of laws like the FTC Act, CAN-SPAM, and ROSCA https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/2020/09/statement-commissioner-rohit-chopra-regarding-dark-patterns-matter-age
- Issuing interpretive rules defining unlawful dark patterns
- Enlisting designer whistleblowers and complainants
- Stepping up enforcement of laws like the FTC Act, CAN-SPAM, and ROSCA https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/2020/09/statement-commissioner-rohit-chopra-regarding-dark-patterns-matter-age
Big Tech knows so much about our lives and can use this data to deploy undetectable dark patterns that are uniquely designed to deceive us. Any suggestion that users can be "empowered" to protect themselves against this digital deception fails to recognize this basic fact.
Digital deception should not be a viable American business model. If @FTC aspires to be a credible watchdog of digital markets, the agency must deploy its tools to go after firms that make millions, or even billions, by tricking & trapping us using dark patterns. #DarkPatternsFTC
