Dark patterns
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The document discusses dark patterns in user interfaces designed to manipulate users into unintended actions, exploiting cognitive biases. It provides examples of various deceptive practices, such as hidden fees and misleading options used by companies like Ryanair and Booking.com. The text warns of the ethical implications of these tactics on brand reputation and trust.
Dark patterns
- 2. A user interface carefully crafted to trick users into doing things they might not otherwise do Harry Brignull, darkpatterns.com
- 3. An experience deliberately crafted to exploit cognitive biases and trick people into doing things they might not otherwise do Rory Watts Hard-wired flaws in human judgment that cause people to come to illogical conclusions
- 4. Trick questions Hidden information Price anchoring Bait and switch Sneak in to basket Illegal in the UK
- 5. The Darkness Scale Selective truth / gentle nudges Downright lies / forced behaviour
- 6. booking.com Selectively displays content that looks good and creates a sense of urgency to rush a purchase
- 7. Ryanair Buries the “Don’t insure me” option within the list of countries to make it harder to avoid fees
- 8. livenation.com Sneaks a paid subscription to Rolling Stone magazine in to your basket then obscures the option to remove it
- 9. Socedo Blocks access until users enter card details, even when there are seven days left in the trial period
- 10. The Consequences Matrix Selective truth / gentle nudges Downright lies / forced behaviour Getting rich Saving lives ImmoralCheeky ?Smart!
- 11. Oxfam Pre-selects monthly donation and moves selector out of visual hotspot to increase regular donations
- 12. Organ Donation Automatically signs citizens up to donate their organs. People must opt out to leave the register.
- 13. Organ Donation
- 14. Brand Reputation Dishonesty Trust Be subtle and don’t push your luck!
- 15. Further Reading
- 16. Profit is sweet, even if it comes from deception Sophocles @rorypwatts medium.com/@rpd.watts