Deceptive Patterns
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deceptive.design
Deceptive Patterns
@deceptive.design
340 followers 66 following 150 posts
Exposing Deceptive Patterns (aka "Dark Patterns") since 2010. Run by Harry Brignull (founder), Mark Leiser, Christiana Santos & Kosha Doshi.

#dpsky
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deceptive.design
We are @deceptive.design on Bluesky:

https://bsky.app/profile/deceptive.design
March 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
deceptive.design
“LinkedIn is now using everyone's content to train their AI tool -- they just auto opted everyone in.” - Rachel Tobac (Sep 18, 2024)

x.com/RachelTobac/...
“LinkedIn is now using everyone's content to train their Al tool -- they just auto opted everyone in. I recommend opting out now (AND that orgs put an end to auto opt-in, it's not cool) Opt out steps: Settings and Privacy > Data Privacy > Data for Generative Al Improvement (OFF)” - Rachel Tobac (Sep 18, 2024)
September 18, 2024 at 8:36 PM
deceptive.design
In Feb 2023, the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled in favour of protecting consumers against the preselection deceptive pattern used by WinRed - the donation platform used by the Trump campaign, pictured here.

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca8/22-1238/22-1...
March 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
deceptive.design
“Show probable spam”

Button label, between two posts about cryptocurrency.
March 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
deceptive.design
This is Facebook’s confirmation when you ask to see fewer posts of a particular type.

“For a while” appears to be shorthand for “our algorithm doesn’t care how you feel about this sort of content, it may decide to show you it again soon and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
March 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
deceptive.design
Is it possible to wriggle around advertising laws and regs like this:

1. Allow advertisers to run ads containing false information
2. Present a footnote under these ads saying the information presented is not true?
3. Profit from the ad revenue
March 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
deceptive.design
The FRIES acronym for consent:

Freely given (no pressure)
Reversible (changeable anytime)
Informed (full knowledge)
Enthusiastic (eager agreement)
Specific (clear on what)
March 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
deceptive.design
“Seatgeek charges 65% fees on tickets€� https://www.reddit.com/r/assholedesign/s/KeEMm5Hn3b
March 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
deceptive.design
March 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
deceptive.design
"Complete Savings TM.... a preferred partner of London Gatwick Airport"

See if you can spot the deceptive patterns.
March 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
deceptive.design
"my brother spent $4000 on robux without our parents consent"

https://www.reddit.com/r/KidsAreFuckingStupid/comments/1d0u4sn/my_brother_spent_4000_on_robux_without_our/
March 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
deceptive.design
The Japanese edition of DECEPTIVE PATTERNS just arrived! € https://www.deceptive.design/book/contents/get-started
March 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
deceptive.design
Korean edition of Deceptive Patterns just landed! 🛩️
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
PRIVATE EYES: How a tech company is expanding surveillance in public streets

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article286920890.html#storylink=cpy
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
"What Makes XR Dark? Examining Emerging Dark Patterns in Augmented and Virtual Reality through Expert Co-Design" (2024)

by Veronika Krauss, Pejman Saeghe, Alexander Boden, Mohamed Khamis, Mark McGill & Jan Gugenheimer

https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3660340
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
“Using your newly purchased LG appliance forces you into binding arbitration€� https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/s/a8gKqtrJvT
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
“Gym cancellation. 2 minutes to sign up, 21 working days to cancel.€� https://www.reddit.com/r/assholedesign/s/Q5NCz7EVAV
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
Arc Browser requires an account and has quite a pushy approach to onboarding.

For example, you can't skip the step – you've got to scroll down to "No, I want to type in all my passwords again" then press "Next".
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
Facial recognition' error message on vending machine sparks concern

“According to Invenda’s website, the Smart Vending Machines can detect the presence of a person, their estimated age and gender.”

https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/facial-recognition-error-message-on-vending-machine-sparks-concern-a...
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
Amazon's Choice for "knuckle dusters for self defence".

✅ Use AI to generate handy dandy summaries to boost revenue? Yes, let's do it!
❌Use AI to remove harmful or illegal products? No, too difficult!
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
https://deathtobullshit.com/ by @brad_frost (2013)
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
“The Humble Bundle custom amount slider is designed to makes it look like they get less than everyone else”

(Note bottom slider position & dollar amount against the others)

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/assholedesign/s/XmeHSulXMB
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
This has been in the pipeline for ages and we're very excited to announce this new research report by @Harrybr and @Cennydd!

https://research.mozilla.org/browser-competition/over-the-edge-the-use-of-design-tactics-to-undermine-browser-choice/
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
The Real Reason You’re Paying for So Many Subscriptions

It’s one of the hidden forces behind the subscription economy: Americans are spending billions on stuff they forget to cancel

WSJ

https://archive.is/2024.01.19-113534/https://www.wsj.com/business/cancel-subscriptions-save-money-streaming...
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
deceptive.design
Where’s the “no thanks”?
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM