Shedding Light On Dark Patterns

Overview of the Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns

INTRODUCTION

It is the right of every consumer to be protected against unfair trade practices. A dark pattern is a kind of unfair trade practice that manipulates a consumer into doing something that they otherwise would not have done.

DEFINITION OF DARK PATTERNS

Although there is no watertight definition of dark patterns per se, the Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns (hereinafter referred to as the "Draft Guidelines") define dark patternsas those practices or deceptive design patterns using user interface or user experience interactions on any platform that:

• Mislead or trick users into doing something they originally did not intend or want to do