What are deceptive patterns?

Deceptive patterns are design tricks that manipulate users into taking actions that benefit a company, often at users' expense. These patterns deceive, mislead, or obstruct users from making informed choices.

These deceptive practices harm users in several ways such as:

• Financial loss, such as unwanted charges from hard-to-cancel subscriptions.
• Loss of privacy when users unknowingly share personal data due to unclear opt-out options. Vulnerable users, like those with limited digital literacy or busy schedules, are particularly at risk.

Using deceptive patterns damages trust. When users feel tricked, they lose confidence in the service and are unlikely to return.