What Are Dark Patterns? Internet Questions Privacy Policy Of E-Commerce Sites
The Indian government moved to outlaw the use of dark patterns by online retailers such as Amazon and Flipkart. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) published instructions on November 30 to discourage the adoption of dark designs. This raises the issue of precisely what is meant to be meant by the phrase “dark pattern.”
This should be simple for you to comprehend if you use Facebook or Instagram applications. You often get alerts requesting your consent. Look closely at the image below. The business wants you to do something in particular. Though this may seem regular, the ordinary user is unaware of the game that is being played in the user interface (UI) design.
Instead of using the terms “tracking” and “targeting,” the language of this app utilizes terms like “activity” and “personalized.” If you look carefully, however, you’ll see that the company’s goal is to follow you so that it can subsequently display tailored ads to you. Tracking and targeting are less evident because of the use of gentle and engaging language and design. There has been a long history of this practice.
Even if you don’t plan to provide much personal information with Facebook and Instagram, you may find yourself drawn to terms like “better experience,” “personalized,” and “activity.” You are more likely to do anything when you enjoy these words. It’s possible that you won’t feel threatened or negatively inclined and will instead follow the company’s instructions.
The design purposefully highlights the acceptable alternative, which influences the decision-making process. There are two choices available. The first option, “Make Ads Less Personalised,” has a dark backdrop that blends in with the surroundings. It’s not brought attention to. The user’s attention is drawn to the highlighted option, “Make Ads More Personalised,” which is the second choice just below it.
It’s common for customers to consent to automated withdrawals once a free trial expires. Why not give people the option to choose whether or not to provide their card data after the trial period?
Ads with barely visible close buttons sometimes appear when using an app or while surfing the web. These pale-colored buttons are concealed in a corner. Instead, users may unintentionally touch on the advertisement, accessing a different link. This is yet another sinister design.
You may see bargains with a ticking countdown on e-commerce applications. The takeaway is that the offer will expire if you don’t buy within a certain window of time. These strategies provide the impression of fake urgency.
