About Fighting dark patterns - regain your free will online
Have you ever struggled to resist sites or apps which prompt you to share ever more personal data? Who hasn’t casually clicked on the big green “I agree” button, instead of the little grey links below? And who doesn’t lose their patience unsubscribing from a website, when all it took was one click to “try for free”?
These features are called “dark patterns” or “deceptive patterns”, which are interfaces that deceive or manipulate users to make them act without realizing or against their own interests.
Why should we care about it ? Because …
✅ dark patterns harm the autonomy, the welfare and the privacy of individuals, and are psychologically detrimental
✅ a number of laws already prohibit dark patterns, and the global legislative framework is shifting towards clarity, transparency, accessibility and fairness by design
✅ dark patterns affect competition and trust in brands, and even puts our democratic models at risk
And because eventually, there is nothing sustainable about tricking users.
Dark patterns are pretty much everywhere online and yet, it’s not inevitable to be deceived or manipulated. With this podcast, once a month, Marie Potel, founder of the legal design agency Amurabi (https://www.amurabi.eu/) and of the platform fairpattern.com (https://fairpatterns.com/) explore with her guests all the aspects of this dark and broad matter : regulation, ethics, marketing, user experience and much more.
A question or a need for support ? Go on fairpatterns.com (https://fairpatterns.com/) or contact Marie Potel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-potel-saville/) on LinkedIn !
This podcast is proposed and presented by Marie Potel, produced by Amicus Radio and directed by Leobardo Arango.
Original Music : Alexis Mallet.
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
Beyond the Interface: Building Safe and Fair Experiences with Stephanie Lucas
In this episode of Fair Patterns, we sit down with Stephanie, a leading voice in ethical design and founder of the Virtuous Designers League, to explore how we can rebuild digital spaces rooted in integrity and trust.
Stephanie shares her journey from advertising to shaping trust and privacy experiences at LinkedIn, offering unique insights into why deceptive design practices—also known as dark patterns—persist despite growing awareness and regulation. Together, we examine how companies can break free from short-term manipulative tactics and instead build long-term, meaningful relationships with their users through fairness, transparency, and value-driven design.
From the power of respecting user agency to the business case for ethical design, this conversation is packed with practical advice, industry anecdotes, and inspiring ideas for designers, product leaders, and anyone committed to creating a more honest digital future.
Join us as we uncover why respecting users isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the foundation for sustainable business success. Don’t miss this powerful episode on designing with conscience and turning trust into a true competitive advantage.
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
14 Jan 2025
The Future of Fairness: Navigating AI’s Ethical Landscape with Luc Julia
In this episode of Fair Patterns, we dive deep into the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence with none other than Luc Julia, a visionary computer scientist, innovator, and co-creator of Siri. Together, we explore the critical challenges and opportunities in designing AI systems that prioritize fairness, transparency, and user empowerment.
Luc shares his insights on the misuse of AI through dark patterns, the environmental impact of AI technologies, and the importance of balancing innovation with ethical responsibility. From his groundbreaking work in human-computer interaction to his perspectives on the future of AI, Luc emphasizes the role of education and collaboration in creating technology that truly serves humanity.
Join us as we uncover how AI can be a force for good—augmenting human intelligence, fostering trust, and elevating ethical standards in technology. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation with one of the leading minds in AI today.
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
16 Oct 2024
Dark Patterns and Consumer Well-Being: Insights from Chandni Gupta
In this episode of Fair Patterns: Regain Your Freedom Online, we welcome Chandni Gupta, Deputy CEO and Digital Policy Director at the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC), Australia’s leading consumer policy think tank. Chandni shares insights from CPRC’s 2022 report, Duped by Design, which revealed that 83% of Australians have experienced negative consequences from dark patterns—deceptive online designs that manipulate users.
We discuss how dark patterns not only lead to financial losses but also affect privacy, mental well-being, and consumer trust. Chandni highlights the legal gaps in Australia, where 8 out of 10 dark patterns remain legal, and contrasts this with stronger protections in the U.S. and Europe.
Chandni also emphasizes the role of businesses in improving the online experience by rethinking design practices to build trust. Finally, she shares insights from her Churchill Fellowship, which focuses on finding global solutions to protect consumers from digital harm.
For more insights, check out Chandni’s research and fellowship:
Duped by Design – Manipulative online design: Dark patterns in Australia (https://cprc.org.au/report/duped-by-design)
Let Me Out – Subscription trap practices in Australia (https://cprc.org.au/report/let-me-out)
Cost of managing your privacy (https://cprc.org.au/report/cost-of-privacy/)
Chandni’s Churchill Fellowship (https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellow/chandni-gupta-vic-2023/)
Subscribe to CPRC’s newsletter at cprc.org.au (https://cprc.org.au), and don’t forget to subscribe to Fairpatterns' newsletter: Unlock the Trust (https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/unlock-the-trust-7142462512297361408/).
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
4 Sept 2024
Safeguarding Children’s Privacy: Insights and Challenges with Jennifer M. Dolan
In this episode of "Fair Patterns: Regain Your Freedom Online," we are joined by Jennifer Dolan, Assistant Commissioner at the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), who oversees children's data protection. Jennifer discusses her path to data protection and the unique challenges regulators face in protecting children's privacy online, particularly with the implementation of the GDPR.
Jennifer emphasizes the importance of creating child-friendly data protection practices and highlights the dangers of dark patterns—manipulative design tactics that can mislead children into sharing more personal information than necessary. She advocates for greater transparency and education to help children understand their data rights and navigate the online world safely.
The episode also explores the need for collaboration among regulators, digital service providers, educators, and parents to improve children's digital literacy and safety online. Jennifer shares her vision for the future, where digital services are designed with children's rights in mind, creating a safer, more empowering online environment for young users.
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
4 Jul 2024
Dark Patterns and Young Minds: Claire Quinn's Take on Online Safety
In this episode of "Fair Patterns: Regain Your Freedom Online," we are joined by Claire Quinn, Chief Privacy Officer at Privo and former Chief of Safety at WeWorld. Claire shares her extensive experience in privacy, security, and child protection online, tracing her career from the early days of the internet to her current role. She discusses the evolution of online safety measures, emphasizing the importance of privacy and safety by design.
Claire offers insights into the challenges of balancing protection and empowerment for minors, explaining how online harms have often outweighed benefits. She highlights the critical role of age assurance mechanisms and the complexities surrounding age verification. The conversation also covers the impact of dark patterns on children, illustrating how these deceptive design practices exploit their vulnerability.
This episode provides a comprehensive look at the ongoing efforts to create a safer digital environment for children, making it a must-listen for anyone concerned with online safety.
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
24 Apr 2024
How are businesses navigating the dark patterns maze?
In this episode of "Fair Patterns: Regain Your Free Will Online," Paavana Kumar, Partner at Davis + Gilbert (https://www.dglaw.com/), and Marie Potel-Saville, Founder of Amurabi (https://amurabi.eu/) & Fair Patterns (https://fairpatterns.com/), engage in a comprehensive discussion about dark patterns and deceptive online practices.
Together, they explore the evolving regulatory landscape, focusing on the FTC's guidelines and enforcement actions. They discuss the negative option rule, proposed updates to streamline requirements for subscription programs, and practical steps businesses can take to avoid dark patterns and ensure compliance with regulations. The conversation also addresses the increasing pressure on companies to prioritize consumer well-being over short-term gains and the potential legal repercussions of failing to do so.
Furthermore, Paavana and Marie discuss the broader implications of deceptive practices on society and the importance of ethical considerations in digital design and user experience. They emphasize the need for businesses to be transparent about their consumer transparency goals, conduct comprehensive audits of user experiences, and optimize cancellation mechanisms to create a seamless and hassle-free process for consumers.
Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the complexities of the dark patterns maze and offers actionable advice for businesses to navigate the landscape ethically and responsibly.
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
26 Mar 2024
What's the future of online manipulation fight? We discuss it with Harry Brignull.
Where are we currently in the fight against dark patterns?
What steps can be taken from different perspectives?
This includes understanding the root cause of the widespread online manipulation, as well as the tools and positive trends that can be used to fight it.
We discuss these issues with Harry Brignull, who coined the term "dark pattern" and has been exposing deceptive user interfaces since 2010. He manages the website deceptive.design (http://darkpatterns.org/)(formerly darkpatterns.org (http://darkpatterns.org/)) and has authored the first book (https://www.deceptive.design/book) on dark patterns.
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
14 Feb 2024
Dark Patterns and Digital Freedom Today. A conversation with Cindy Cohn.
How are dark patterns and deceptive practices impacting fundamental rights such as freedom and privacy? The raise of Ai is exacerbating transparency issues and the potential for AI-powered dark patterns, highlighting the the importance of informed decision-making and the need for individuals to have the ability to enforce their rights.
To understand more about it, Marie Potel-Seville sits with Cindy Cohn, Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) (https://www.eff.org/). From 2000-2015 she served as EFF’s Legal Director as well as its General Counsel. Ms. Cohn first became involved with EFF in 1993, when EFF asked her to serve as the outside lead attorney in Bernstein v. Dept. of Justice, the successful First Amendment challenge to the U.S. export restrictions on cryptography.
To go further:
EFF Podcast:
https://feeds.eff.org/howtofixtheinternet (https://feeds.eff.org/howtofixtheinternet)
Have a question or need some support?
Visit us at fairpatterns.com (http://fairpatterns.com/) and follow us on LinkedIn: FairPatterns (https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/fairpatterns/?viewAsMember=true)!
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
15 Nov 2023
How regulators are tackling dark patterns? Discussion with Dries Cuijpers.
In early 2023, the European Commission and national consumer protection authorities (the “CPC network”) screened 399 online shops. They only focused on 3 specific types of dark patterns: fake countdown timers; interfaces designed to lead consumers to purchases or subscriptions; and hidden information. Even on such a narrow basis, their investigation showed that 148 sites contained at least one of these three dark patterns. The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) also conducted a sweep in 2023, during which they automatically detected a specific type of dark pattern: countdown timers. Results showed dozens of infringements, just on this one type of deceptive design.
In today’s episod, Marie Potel speaks with Dries Cuijpers, Senior Enforcement Official and coordinator of the Digital Economy at the Consumer Division of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets. Dries has 20 years of experience as an enforcement official in numerous economic sectors. He set up ACM’s Behavioural Insights Team and managed the team for the first 5 years, he has worked for the OECD on consumer policy and he is a co-author of ACM’s Guidelines on the Protection of the Online Consumer.
What type of harms are caused by dark patterns, from a regulator point of view? How is the Dutch authority tackling this issue? What’s the future of regulation on deception and manipulation around the world? Let’s talk about it here and now!
To go further :
ACM confronts online stores using misleading countdown timers with their practices (https://www.acm.nl/en/publications/acm-confronts-online-stores-using-misleading-countdown-timers-their-practices)
Have a question or need some support? Visit us at fairpatterns.com (https://fairpatterns.com/) and follow us on LinkedIn: FairPatterns (https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/fairpatterns/?viewAsMember=true)!
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
10 Oct 2023
How might we create a common language on dark patterns? Discussion with Colin Gray.
Dark patterns go against most UX design principles, yet they are pretty much everywhere. So how is this huge prevalence explained? What is missing in UX designer training to avoid deceptive designs? Is the regulation sufficient to deter companies from using dark patterns? How might we create a common language and hierarchy of dark patterns that aligns differing terminology from scholars and regulators?
To discuss the topic, Marie Potel speaks with Colin Gray, Associate Professor at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at Indiana University Bloomington and Director of the human computer interaction design program.
To go further:
"Towards a preliminary ontology of dark patterns knowledge", by Colin Gray, Cristina Santos, Nataliia Bielova
Have a question or need some support? Visit us at fairpatterns.com (https://fairpatterns.com/) and follow us on LinkedIn: FairPatterns (https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/fairpatterns/?viewAsMember=true)!
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
12 Sept 2023
Are dark patterns profitable from an economic standpoint? Discussion with Anastasia Shchepetova and Lirio Barros.
Traditional economics assumes that as humans, we use all available information, and we process all this information in a purely rational way in order to make an optimal decision. But studies show that in reality, there are serious limits to anyone's ability to process information. Behavioral economics calls these limits « bounded rationality ».
Because of these cognitive limitations, the way in which information or choices are presented can have a significant impact on the decisions that individuals make.
How behavioral economics can be used by policymakers to design “choice architectures” such that people are promoted to make better decisions? What can economics teach us about how dark patterns work? What are the incentives to switch from dark to fair patterns, from a sheer economic point of view?
In this episode, we dive into the economics behind dark patterns with Marie Potel and her guests, Anastasia Shchepetova and Lirio Barros, both consultants in economics and finance at Oxera.
To go further :
Federal Trade Commission complaint against Amazon.com (https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/2123050-amazoncom-inc-rosca-ftc-v)
“Nudge : improving decisions about health, wealth and happiness” by Richard Thaler & Cass Sustein (2009)
Have a question or need some support? Visit us at fairpatterns.com (https://fairpatterns.com/) and follow us on LinkedIn FairPatterns (https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/fairpatterns/?viewAsMember=true)!
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
11 Jul 2023
Dark patterns in digital marketing. Discussion with Raashee Gupta Erry.
Some people might consider that marketing is some form of manipulation, making it almost impossible for a marketer to do their job without tricking users in one way or another.
But in reality, marketers are asked to build experiences that drive trust, conversion, and long-term customer relationships. How can marketers benefit from fighting dark patterns in their daily job, and what do they have to keep in mind to gain user trust? These are the topics discussed in today’s episode with Marie Potel and her guest Raashee Gupta Erry, senior expert in marketing advertising and consumer privacy.
🎧 You heard:
An extract of CNBC’s Aaron Ross Sorkin interview of Lina Khan, FTC commissioner, on antitrust regulation and data privacy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-95KUz5mJu8)
💡 To go further:
Dark commercial patterns, OECD digital economy papers, oct. 2022, n°336 (https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/44f5e846-en.pdf?expires=1687779380&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=8394B8BAC3EC362CA84F9D04F2BFAFBE)
Americans can’t consent to companies’ use of their data, a report from the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, feb. 2023 (https://www.asc.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/2023-02/Americans_Can%27t_Consent.pdf)
Federal Trade Commission Staff report « Bringing dark patterns to light », sept. 2022 (https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/P214800%20Dark%20Patterns%20Report%209.14.2022%20-%20FINAL.pdf)
Have a question or need some support? Go to fairpatterns.com (https://fairpatterns.com/) or contact Marie Potel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-potel-saville/) on LinkedIn!
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
13 Jun 2023
Are dark patterns illicit? Discussion with Gabriel Voisin and Alexandre Vuchot.
✅ Is there one single legal definition of dark patterns?
✅ What are the legal risks incurred by companies from the consumer law and the data protection point of views?
✅ What is really changing with the digital service act (DSA), the first regulation that explicitly prohibits dark patterns per se?
To answer these questions, Marie Potel welcomes Gabriel Voisin and Alexandre Vuchot, partners at Bird & Bird specializing respectively in data protection, cyber security & privacy, and consumer law.
You will also hear an extract of Tristan Harris talking about technological deception in the social media age in front of the US congress on January 8, 2020.
To go further:
Fair patterns 2 mn sanity check (https://radio.amicus-curiae.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/06/FairPatternsSanityCheck-1.pdf)
Evolution of the legislation policing dark patterns (https://radio.amicus-curiae.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/06/FairPatternsDarkPatternsLegislationEvolution.pdf)
Online Choice Architecture : how digital design can harm competition and consumers (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-choice-architecture-how-digital-design-can-harm-competition-and-consumers), from Competition and Market Authority, April 5, 2022
Italian Data Protection Authority's decision mentioning Dark Patterns (https://www.garanteprivacy.it/home/docweb/-/docweb-display/docweb/9870014), February 23, 2023
5Rights Foundation Contribution to the Global Digital Compact (https://5rightsfoundation.com/uploads/Disrupted-Childhood-2023-v2.pdf), April 2023
Have a question or a need for support? Go to fairpatterns.com (https://fairpatterns.com/) or contact Marie (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-potel-saville/) on LinkedIn!
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
9 May 2023
What are dark patterns in privacy? Discussion with Ariana Rossi.
Marie Potel welcomes Arianna Rossi to talk about the criteria based on which dark patterns can be identified. Arianna works in the research institute of the University of Luxembourg, at the interdisciplinary center for security, reliability and trust. Her research is at the intersection of privacy, tech and law.
Together, they tackle the question of the definition of this very varied phenomenon that is “dark patterns”, and the need to create actionable guidelines to trigger awareness for all stakeholders (legal professionals, but also marketers, designers …).
In this episode, you will also hear an extract of Harry Brignull’ presentation on Dark Patterns at the UX Brighton conference.
A question or a need for support? Go to fairpatterns.com (https://fairpatterns.com/) or contact Marie Potel on LinkedIn!
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
11 Apr 2023
Why should we fight dark patterns? Discussion with Celia Hodent.
Did you know that …
✅ 97 % of e-commerce websites in the EU contain at least one dark pattern
✅ dark patterns increase the heart rate of users and raise anxiety
✅ kids are more vulnerable to dark patterns, as the part of the brain that helps us control our impulses fully matures at 25 years of age
In this very first episode, Marie Potel and her guest, Celia Hodent, psychologist specialized in UX games, independent consultant as a game UX strategist, and founder of GDC UX summit (http://gameuxsummit.com/) talk about the detrimental impacts of dark patterns on user experience and why companies should care about it in a long run strategy. They discuss the cognitive biases at play with dark patterns, the regulation applicable, the harms caused to individuals and to our economic model, and the incentives to switch from dark to fair patterns.
To go further :
👉 “What UX is really about : introducing a mindset for great experiences”, by Celia Hodent
👉 OECD digital economy papers “Dark commercial patterns”, oct. 2022, n°336 (https://www.oecd.org/digital/dark-commercial-patterns-44f5e846-en.htm)
👉 European Commission report “Behavioural study on unfair commercial practices in the digital environnement : dark patterns and manipulative personalisation”, april 2022 (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/606365bc-d58b-11ec-a95f-01aa75ed71a1/language-en/format-PDF/source-257599418)
A question or a need for support? Go on fairpatterns.com (https://fairpatterns.com/) or contact Marie Potel on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-potel-saville/)!
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
28 Mar 2023
Fighting Dark Patterns, Amurabi's podcast
Dark patterns are pretty much everywhere online and yet, it’s not inevitable to be deceived or manipulated. With this podcast, once a month, Marie Potel, founder of the legal design agency Amurabi (https://www.amurabi.eu/) and of the platform fairpattern.com (https://fairpatterns.com/) explore with her guests all the aspects of this dark and broad matter : regulation, ethics, marketing, user experience and much more.
A question or a need for support? Go on fairpatterns.com (https://fairpatterns.com/) or contact Marie Potel on LinkedIn!
Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) pour plus d'informations.
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