Disentangling Online Manipulation Strategies from the Perspective of Digital Inequalities

Abstract

There is a growing concern about the use of manipulative mechanisms in online interfaces and the underlying harm to users' autonomy under the label of 'dark patterns'. The effect of these mechanisms, especially in vulnerable populations, is still under-researched. The present doctoral dissertation aims to understand the conditions under which users are less likely to resist manipulation, following the idea of digital inequalities in manipulative designs. This dissertation expects to contribute in two ways. First, bringing empirical insights about the effectiveness of manipulative mechanisms, especially in low digital skilled populations, and providing enablers that allow them to resist manipulation. Second, providing with guidelines that support practitioners in designing user interfaces for these populations and policymakers in improving the current regulations on manipulative designs.CCS Concepts: • Human-centered computing → Empirical studies in HCI; • Social and professional topics → User characteristics; Computing literacy.