
Dark Patterns
'Dark patterns' is the term used to describe ways of designing online user interfaces so that consumers are manipulated into making certain choices which are not in their best interests.
This could mean, for example, making it difficult for a user to cancel a subscription or pushing them in into sharing personal data by accepting, rather than declining, cookies. Dark patterns have been a growing concern for legislators, regulators and courts in the EU and UK for some time. Although the term is yet to be fully defined legally there are numerous proposals to create additional bands and enforcement sweeps.
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Article list

Regulatory Outlook
Greenwashing | UK Online Advertising Programme | 'Dark patterns'
11/01/2024
Read time
4m
Regulatory Outlook
Data protection | UK Regulatory Outlook November 2023
UK King's Speech announces Data Protection and Digital Information Bill | UK government publishes IDTA and EU SCC Addendum evaluation...
29/11/2023
Read time
6m
31/10/2023
Read time
3m
Regulatory Outlook
Data protection | UK Regulatory Outlook September 2023
UK – US Data Bridge | ICO and CMA call out harmful online design which encourages consumers to hand over...
27/09/2023
Read time
4m
Retail and Consumer
Polish watchdog continues to verify unfair online practices
Entrepreneurs should invest time in adjusting their websites to current legal requirements - Omnibus Directive's infringements still present
26/09/2023
Read time
2m
Retail and Consumer
Smarter regulation? Department of Business and Trade launches new consultation on core UK consumer law
Consultation includes user reviews and 'dark patterns' such as drip pricing
06/09/2023
Read time
5m
Retail and Consumer
ICO and CMA clamp down on dark patterns in the UK
Regulators publish joint paper on harmful online design practices
04/09/2023
Read time
5m
Competition, antitrust and trade
Significant changes to UK competition and consumer law proposed in Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
Our video series looks at the impact of the changes on digital services being offered to consumers
28/07/2023
Read time
1m
Dark patterns in Poland
Dark patterns continue to pose dangers in Poland and the EU's e-commerce sector
Consumers should not be subject to deceptive design during online shopping
04/07/2023
Read time
2m
Regulatory and compliance
Dark patterns in the metaverse
How might dark patterns evolve in the metaverse and will they be regulated?
16/05/2023
Read time
1m
Regulatory Outlook
Advertising and marketing | UK Regulatory Outlook April 2023
CAP publishes enforcement notice on digital ads promoting a 'free trial' or other promotional subscription | CMA publishes an open...
27/04/2023
Read time
3m
Dark Patterns
Permanent promotions mislead consumers, says Poland's consumer protection watchdog
Promotions cannot be advertised without time limits as it can create a false impression in consumers and constitute dark pattern
04/04/2023
Read time
3m
Retail and Consumer
Polish consumer watchdog targets e-commerce in the entertainment industry
Companies must pay attention to whether they communicate online with the consumer in a comprehensive manner
22/03/2023
Read time
3m
Regulatory Outlook
Consumer law | UK Regulatory Outlook February 2023
The European Commission publishes results of its investigation into dark patterns | Digital Services Act: guidance on the requirement to...
28/02/2023
Read time
3m
Dark Patterns
Dark patterns and sustainability remain a target for Poland's consumer protection authority
Entrepreneurs in Poland need to be aware that consumer protection probes and proceedings are not slowing down
15/02/2023
Read time
4m
Dark Patterns
European consumer protection watchdogs publish 'dark patterns' statistics
National authorities will take action after two-fifths of almost 400 sites were found to rely on manipulative practices
31/01/2023
Read time
2m
Tech, Media and Comms
A new reality dawns for Polish e-commerce in 2023
Businesses and consumers in Poland will need to adjust to the implementation of three new European regulations
10/01/2023
Read time
4m
Retail and Consumer
Poland's Office of Competition and Consumer Protection investigates 'dark patterns'
Entrepreneurs can be fined up to 10% of their turnover for violating the collective interests of consumers
19/12/2022
Read time
4m
Commercial
CMA launches first investigation as part of its dark patterns focus
Regulator's online choice architecture programme addresses pressure-selling tactic
02/12/2022
Read time
2m
Regulatory and compliance
EU's Digital Service Act to introduce first express ban on 'dark patterns'
Definition of dark patterns sheds light on concerns including exiting subscriptions easily while raising applicability questions
02/08/2022
Read time
4m
Regulatory and compliance
Dark patterns: what are they and how might they be regulated?
Exploring how this area might evolve - and what it means for business
21/02/2022
Read time
1m

Regulatory Outlook
Advertising and marketing | UK Regulatory Outlook January 2024
Greenwashing | UK Online Advertising Programme | 'Dark patterns'
11/01/2024
Read time
4m
Regulatory Outlook
Data protection | UK Regulatory Outlook November 2023
UK King's Speech announces Data Protection and Digital Information Bill | UK government publishes IDTA and EU SCC Addendum evaluation...
29/11/2023
Read time
6m
31/10/2023
Read time
3m
Regulatory Outlook
Data protection | UK Regulatory Outlook September 2023
UK – US Data Bridge | ICO and CMA call out harmful online design which encourages consumers to hand over...
27/09/2023
Read time
4m
Retail and Consumer
Polish watchdog continues to verify unfair online practices
Entrepreneurs should invest time in adjusting their websites to current legal requirements - Omnibus Directive's infringements still present
26/09/2023
Read time
2m
Retail and Consumer
Smarter regulation? Department of Business and Trade launches new consultation on core UK consumer law
Consultation includes user reviews and 'dark patterns' such as drip pricing
06/09/2023
Read time
5m
Retail and Consumer
ICO and CMA clamp down on dark patterns in the UK
Regulators publish joint paper on harmful online design practices
04/09/2023
Read time
5m
Competition, antitrust and trade
Significant changes to UK competition and consumer law proposed in Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
Our video series looks at the impact of the changes on digital services being offered to consumers
28/07/2023
Read time
1m
Dark patterns in Poland
Dark patterns continue to pose dangers in Poland and the EU's e-commerce sector
Consumers should not be subject to deceptive design during online shopping
04/07/2023
Read time
2m
Regulatory and compliance
Dark patterns in the metaverse
How might dark patterns evolve in the metaverse and will they be regulated?
16/05/2023
Read time
1m
Regulatory Outlook
Advertising and marketing | UK Regulatory Outlook April 2023
CAP publishes enforcement notice on digital ads promoting a 'free trial' or other promotional subscription | CMA publishes an open...
27/04/2023
Read time
3m
Dark Patterns
Permanent promotions mislead consumers, says Poland's consumer protection watchdog
Promotions cannot be advertised without time limits as it can create a false impression in consumers and constitute dark pattern
04/04/2023
Read time
3m
Retail and Consumer
Polish consumer watchdog targets e-commerce in the entertainment industry
Companies must pay attention to whether they communicate online with the consumer in a comprehensive manner
22/03/2023
Read time
3m
Regulatory Outlook
Consumer law | UK Regulatory Outlook February 2023
The European Commission publishes results of its investigation into dark patterns | Digital Services Act: guidance on the requirement to...
28/02/2023
Read time
3m
Dark Patterns
Dark patterns and sustainability remain a target for Poland's consumer protection authority
Entrepreneurs in Poland need to be aware that consumer protection probes and proceedings are not slowing down
15/02/2023
Read time
4m
Dark Patterns
European consumer protection watchdogs publish 'dark patterns' statistics
National authorities will take action after two-fifths of almost 400 sites were found to rely on manipulative practices
31/01/2023
Read time
2m
Tech, Media and Comms
A new reality dawns for Polish e-commerce in 2023
Businesses and consumers in Poland will need to adjust to the implementation of three new European regulations
10/01/2023
Read time
4m
Retail and Consumer
Poland's Office of Competition and Consumer Protection investigates 'dark patterns'
Entrepreneurs can be fined up to 10% of their turnover for violating the collective interests of consumers
19/12/2022
Read time
4m
Commercial
CMA launches first investigation as part of its dark patterns focus
Regulator's online choice architecture programme addresses pressure-selling tactic
02/12/2022
Read time
2m
Regulatory and compliance
EU's Digital Service Act to introduce first express ban on 'dark patterns'
Definition of dark patterns sheds light on concerns including exiting subscriptions easily while raising applicability questions
02/08/2022
Read time
4m
Regulatory and compliance
Dark patterns: what are they and how might they be regulated?
Exploring how this area might evolve - and what it means for business
21/02/2022
Read time
1m
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