Dark patterns are user interfaces designed to trick users. They were coined by Harry Brignull in 2010 to describe deceptive designs used to manipulate user behavior for commercial gain. Examples include bait-and-switch interfaces that advertise one thing but deliver another, trick questions that confuse the user's intentions, and sneaking extra purchases into online shopping baskets through opt-out options. Users are encouraged to identify and share examples of dark patterns online to increase transparency and honesty in design.
3. WHATAREDARKPATTERNS?
A dark patternis a user interface thathas been carefullycraftedto trickusers
into doing things, such as buying insurancewiththeir purchase or signing up for
recurring bills.
Thephrase’darkpattern’wascoined byHarryBrignull in 2010withthe registrationofdarkpatterns.org,a patternlibrarywiththespecific goalof
naming andshaming deceptive user interfaces.
9. EXAMPLESOF DARKPATTERNS
TRICK QUESTION
THE
While filling in a form you respond to a question that tricks you
into giving an answer you didn't intend. When glanced upon
quickly the question appears to ask one thing, but when read
carefully it asks another thing entirely.
11. EXAMPLESOF DARKPATTERNS
SNEAK INTO THE BASKET
THE
Youattempt to purchase something, but somewhere in the purchasing journeythe
site sneaks anadditional item into yourbasket, often throughthe useof an opt-out
radio button or checkboxon a prior page.(or a sneaky button)
19. VIGILANT
Be
When you see a Dark Pattern, take screenshots and tweet it.
Ifyou'vegot an example that doesn't fit into a tweet, you can usea platform
likeMedium or Imgur, then tweet it.
Mention @darkpatterns oruse the hashtag #darkpattern.
TRANSPARENT
HONEST
A DEFENDER