Dark patterns are manipulative designs and processes that are aimed at influencing the behavior of users of websites and apps. These design tricks are intended, for example, to encourage consumers to make a hasty purchase or to agree to the disclosure of personal data prematurely, or to prevent them from terminating their contract.

On February 7th, the Brandenburg Consumer Center is offering a seminar in which consumers will learn to see through the variety of optical and psychological tricks.

Beware of: “Accept cookies”

Many people are familiar with it: quickly clicking on “accept all cookies” even though they didn’t actually want to. It is often easier and quicker to give consent to the setting of cookies than to make the opposite choice, for example because the corresponding button is designed more conspicuously and is labeled more clearly. These design tricks are called dark patterns. Providers use them to persuade users to take the action they want. They have no advantages for consumers.  

In addition to simple visual highlighting, there are also dark patterns that create pressure and mislead or hide desired information so well that it can hardly be found. For example, providers make options they don't like, such as account deletion, cumbersome by requiring long clicks, label buttons misleadingly, or set desired answer options in advance on forms.  

Lecture on the topic of Dark Patterns in Brandenburg

The Brandenburg Consumer Center will show how diverse the design tricks are and how consumers can sharpen their awareness of manipulative designs in the lecture “Dark Patterns: How to see through manipulative designs on websites” as part of the Safer Internet Day 2023. Participants can find out more at other: 

  • What tricks do providers use on their websites to entice users to take a certain action? 
  • What obstacles are used to make user-friendly decisions difficult? 
  • How can I protect myself against manipulative designs?  

The free lecture will take place on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, both online and on site: 

Participants can bring their own questions and share personal experiences.

Source:

Brandenburg Consumer Center

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