Privacy & Data
All Ages
Dark Patterns: The Art of the Trick
How apps use psychology to trick you into spending more time and money.
THE TACTIC
'Dark Patterns' are design choices intended to confuse you. Common examples include 'Ghost Notifications' (an alert that doesn't exist) or making the 'Delete Account' button nearly impossible to find.
EXAMPLES
1. Roach Motels: Easy to get into (subscription), hard to get out of (cancellation).
2. Forced Continuity: A free trial that automatically charges your card without an email reminder.
3. Confshaming: Wording that makes you feel bad for declining an offer (e.g., 'No thanks, I prefer to pay full price').
DEFENSE
Recognize that these are professional tricks. When you feel 'guilt' or 'confusion' from an app, that is a Dark Pattern. Close the app and take a breath.
'Dark Patterns' are design choices intended to confuse you. Common examples include 'Ghost Notifications' (an alert that doesn't exist) or making the 'Delete Account' button nearly impossible to find.
EXAMPLES
1. Roach Motels: Easy to get into (subscription), hard to get out of (cancellation).
2. Forced Continuity: A free trial that automatically charges your card without an email reminder.
3. Confshaming: Wording that makes you feel bad for declining an offer (e.g., 'No thanks, I prefer to pay full price').
DEFENSE
Recognize that these are professional tricks. When you feel 'guilt' or 'confusion' from an app, that is a Dark Pattern. Close the app and take a breath.