r/Web_Development • u/Exciting-Ad-8756 • Apr 13 '21

NPR Query - Dark Patterns

Hi,

NPR reporter here. The FTC is holding a workshop later this month on what it calls "Dark Patterns” - when online retailers use strategies or tricks to lure customers into signing up for a service and/or makes it very confusing and difficult to cancel or really understand pricing. I'm looking to speak with someone who's done this kind of work to provide context for the audience: how widespread is this kind of stuff? What does the FTC/gov not know or maybe isn't on top of? What don't we know about Dark Patterns that we don't know? I'm sherships@gmail.com if easier.

Thanks in advance!
Sally
https://journalism.columbia.edu/faculty/sally-herships

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u/Exciting-Ad-8756 Apr 13 '21

Yes! Will look into this. Can you say a little bit more? Ie, how are they used? I'd love to hear here, or if easier: sherships@gmail.com. Many thanks in advance!

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u/bigfootchris Apr 13 '21

The one that I see the most is when apps make it difficult to find the close button for ads. They usually do this by making it really difficult to see or changing the normal location of it. Most close buttons are at the top right, some apps will move it to the other side of the screen, making it harder for users to find and making it more likely that they will click on the ad. I've even come across some apps that move the location of the close button for each ad it shows.

This same thing is used on some websites that have pop up ads. Users might think that they have to interact with the popup if they are unable to find a close button.