Dark Patterns and Consumer Protection Law for App Makers

TL;DR

This paper examines how dark patterns in app design can violate consumer rights and legal standards, offering strategies for developers to create transparent, compliant interfaces that foster trust.

Contribution

It provides an analysis of common dark pattern pitfalls and proposes design strategies aligned with consumer protection laws to prevent manipulation.

Findings

Identifies key dark patterns that undermine consumer autonomy.

Suggests design principles for transparency and compliance.

Highlights legal risks associated with manipulative UI designs.

Abstract

Dark patterns in online commerce, especially deceptive user interface designs for apps and websites, undermine consumer autonomy and distort online markets. Although sometimes deception is intentional, the complex app development process can also unintentionally produce manipulative user interfaces. This paper discusses common design pitfalls and proposes strategies for app makers to avoid infringing user autonomy or incurring legal liability under emerging principles of consumer protection law. By focusing on choice architecture and transparent design principles, developers can both facilitate compliance and build user trust and loyalty.