I am Definitely Manipulated, Even When I am Aware of it. It s Ridiculous! -- Dark Patterns from the End-User Perspective
This research addresses the problem of user vulnerability to manipulative online designs for consumers and policymakers, though it is incremental as it builds on existing knowledge of dark patterns.
The study investigated user awareness and resistance to manipulative online designs (dark patterns) through a survey of 406 individuals, finding that while users are generally aware of these influences, awareness does not enable them to resist manipulation, with younger respondents often recognizing the designs but uncertain about potential harms.
Online services pervasively employ manipulative designs (i.e., dark patterns) to influence users to purchase goods and subscriptions, spend more time on-site, or mindlessly accept the harvesting of their personal data. To protect users from the lure of such designs, we asked: are users aware of the presence of dark patterns? If so, are they able to resist them? By surveying 406 individuals, we found that they are generally aware of the influence that manipulative designs can exert on their online behaviour. However, being aware does not equip users with the ability to oppose such influence. We further find that respondents, especially younger ones, often recognise the "darkness" of certain designs, but remain unsure of the actual harm they may suffer. Finally, we discuss a set of interventions (e.g., bright patterns, design frictions, training games, applications to expedite legal enforcement) in the light of our findings.