Dark patterns
Also called: Deceptive design patterns · Topic: Consumer Rights and Consumer Protection · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Dark patterns are tricky designs on apps and websites. They push users into choices they did not mean to make, such as buying more, paying more or signing up for something. They work because buyers often use quick rules of thumb and can be nudged. In November 2023, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued guidelines that list 13 dark patterns. These include false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm-shaming, forced action, subscription traps, drip pricing and disguised ads.
Example
A travel app shows a fake alert saying "only 2 seats left" to rush the buyer. This is false urgency. At checkout it then adds a convenience fee that was never shown earlier. This is drip pricing, meaning extra fees revealed only at the end.
Don't confuse with
- Misleading advertisement: a misleading ad makes a false claim about the product itself. A dark pattern tricks the user through the design of the screen or the buying process.