In my post last week I shared a study on how software companies are designing ways to circumvent laws that prohibit tracking of users without explicit permission. We all have encountered the permission popups that give you no options. I wanted to point you to this immensely well researched article on Dark Pattern Design by Natasha Lomas.
“The darkness comes into play because UX design choices are being selected to be intentionally deceptive. To nudge the user to give up more than they realize. Or to agree to things they probably wouldn’t if they genuinely understood the decisions they were being pushed to make” writes Natasha.
This takes advantage of the fact that consumers skim through most things legal. The key element is manipulative timing. This feeds on the interruptions driven ‘cognitive overload’ with deceptive design making it harder for a user to make the right choices.
So what tools are used? Friction, distraction, emotional manipulation – the arsenal is endless. UX designer Harry Brignull set up darkpatterns.org to chronicle these types of behaviors by brands online. Recommend that you read this very well written article as a starter and watch the video.
Where I learnt this #406
WTF is dark pattern design?
https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/01/wtf-is-dark-pattern-design/
How Dark Pattern Works
