Countless popular websites and apps use what are called “dark templates”, or
The term "dark patterns" entered Brignull.He discovered that he was not alone in his disappointment. In 2010, he created a website to document such cases – darkpatterns.org. The site has since been rebranded and now features hundreds of examples of the various steps used to trick users. In the ten-plus years since Brignull created the site, the sophistication of digital dark patterns has only increased.
In March, Carl Racine, state attorney generalWashington, D.C., is suing Grubhub for allegedly misleading customers about hidden fees by "grouping them with taxes at checkout," according to the lawsuit. A Grubhub spokesperson told CNN that its practices "have always complied with Washington state law" and noted that "many of the practices in question have been discontinued."
Several Attorney Generals have also filedlawsuit against Google over alleged use of dark patterns to encourage users to provide more data about their location.
Last month, a bipartisan group of sixUS lawmakers have released a joint statement in support of legislation aimed at combating dark patterns. The text of the bill states that it aims to "prohibit the use of exploitative and deceptive practices by large online operators and promote consumer welfare in the use of behavioral practices by such providers."