what are dark patterns

Dark patterns are user interfaces that are designed to trick users into doing things they may not want to do, such as buying overpriced insurance or signing up for recurring bills. They exploit human psychology for the sole purpose of encouraging people to act against their best interests, and can range from subtle omissions to outright lies. Dark patterns can be illegal and unethical, and they make customers unhappy and cause them to lose trust in a business. Examples of dark patterns include disguising ads to look like independent content, making it difficult for consumers to cancel subscriptions or charges, burying key terms or junk fees, and tricking consumers into sharing their data. Dark patterns are a rapidly growing area of research, particularly in the fields of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Law. The Electronic Frontier Foundation and Consumer Reports have created a tip line to collect information about dark patterns from the public. Regulators are also taking notice of dark patterns, with the Digital Services Act in the EU providing a definition and prohibition of a "dark pattern".