FTC Releases Staff Report On "Dark Patterns," Warning Marketers That "These Traps Will Not Be Tolerated"

Last week, the Federal Trade Commission released a staff report, Bringing Dark Patterns to Light, which highlights the FTC's concern about markers' increasing use of so-called "dark patterns" to manipulate consumers. In a statement, Samuel Levine, the Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, explained, "Our report shows how more and more companies are using digital dark patterns to trick people into buying products and giving away their personal information. This report -- and our cases -- send a clear message that these traps will not be tolerated."

What are "dark patterns"? The FTC defines them as "design practices that trick or manipulate users into making choices they would not otherwise have made and that may cause harm."