What Makes a Dark Pattern... Dark?

Abstract

There is a rapidly growing literature on dark patterns, user interface designs-typically related to shopping or privacy-that researchers deem problematic. Recent work has been predominantly descriptive, documenting and categorizing objectionable user interfaces.These contributions have been invaluable in highlighting specific designs for researchers and policymakers. But the current literature lacks a conceptual foundation: What makes a user interface a dark pattern? Why are certain designs problematic for users or society?We review recent work on dark patterns and demonstrate that the literature does not reflect a singular concern or consistent definition, but rather, a set of thematically related considerations. Drawing from scholarship in psychology, economics, ethics, philosophy, and law, we articulate a set of normative perspectives for analyzing dark patterns and their effects on individuals and society. We then show how future research on dark patterns can go beyond subjective criticism of user interface designs and apply empirical methods grounded in normative perspectives.

Automated detection of dark patterns in cookie banners: how to do it poorly and why it is hard to do it any other way

“…5 -Dark Patterns conceptual refinement. Need for a refinement of the concept of dark patterns -per dark pattern category (following the cognition of Mathur et al (2021);Di Geronimo et al (2020). As Johanna Gunawan (2021) posits, additional research is needed to develop the theory of dark patternblindness and potential mitigation strategies in order to detect more accurately the presence of dark patterns.…”

“…Challenges on a consensual definition of dark patterns. What exactly makes a pattern dark 3 is still a matter of fervent discussion across different communities (Mathur et al, 2021). There is a body of theoretical conceptualization on the definition of dark patterns -researchers unfold diverging definitions and classifications thereof (Mathur et al, 2019;Brignull et al, 2015;Bösch et al, 2016;Chatellier et al, 2019;Chromik et al, 2019;Gray et al, 2018;Zagal et al, 2013;Fritsch, 2017) -and their related features -in their own domains, thus even rendering it difficult to communicate about the same phenomenon.…”

Measuring Automated Influence: Between Empirical Evidence and Ethical Values

“…Some preliminary survey research has explored user awareness of dark patterns [52] and user experience of dark patterns as manipulative [33]. Mathur et al raise related questions about how to empirically measure the extent to which digital influences impact autonomy, again in the context of dark patterns research [56]. We echo their call for the development of new empirical strategies that shed light on these questions, and suggest that such strategies would be valuable for exploring the autonomy impacts of a range of automated influence technologies beyond dark patterns.…”

I am Definitely Manipulated, Even When I am Aware of it. It s Ridiculous! -- Dark Patterns from the End-User Perspective

“…As for what concerns the poor detection of pre-selection and forced consent, a plausible explanation is that users have grown accustomed to such designs. However, a dedicated study could demonstrate which design attributes [48] make certain dark patterns harder to spot.…”

“…At the same time, persuasive technology heuristics (e.g., [37]) may be adapted to assess the potential manipulative effects of digital products even before their release. Building on such initiatives and [48,51], we plan to develop a standardised transparency impact assessment process for interface design.…”