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Source: The post is based on the article “Centre launches ‘Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023’ to design & prototype innovative app or software that can detect dark patterns on e-Commerce platforms” published in “PIB” on 27th October 2023
Why in the News?
The Department of Consumer Affairs in collaboration with IIT (BHU) has launched Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023.
What are Dark Patterns?
Dark Patterns- A dark pattern refers to a design or user interface technique that is intentionally created to manipulate or deceive users into making certain choices or taking specific actions that may not be in their best interest.
It is a deceptive practice employed to influence user behavior in a way that benefits the company implementing it.
What are the different types of Dark Patterns?
| Specifications | Details |
| Trick Questions | It means the deliberate use of confusing or vague language to misguide or misdirect a user from taking desired action or leading consumers to take a specific response or action. |
| Saas Billing | It is a process of generating and collecting payments from consumers on a recurring basis in a software as a service (SaaS) business model. |
| Rogue Malwares | It uses ransomware to mislead/trick users into believing there is a virus on their computer.It then convinces them to pay for a fake malware removal tool that actually installs malware on their computer. |
| Forced action | It means forcing a user into taking an action that would require the user to buy any additional good(s) or subscribe or sign up for an unrelated service or share personal information, in order to buy or subscribe to the product/service originally intended by the user. |
| Confirm shaming | It means using a phrase, video, audio or any other means to create a sense of fear or shame or ridicule or guilt in the mind of the user, so as to nudge the user to act in a certain way that results in the user purchasing a product or service from the platform or continuing a subscription of a service, |
| Nagging | In this, the user is continuously subjected to requests, information, choices or disruptions in order to push them to make a transaction and make some commercial gains |
| Basket sneaking | It is used to add additional products or services to the shopping cart without the user’s consent |
| Bait & switch | Advertising a certain product/ service but delivering another, often of lower quality; |
UPSC Syllabus Topic: Science and Technology
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