Data privacy is a crucial yet complex aspect of information systems. Privacy patterns translate legal and regulatory requirements into technological solutions that uphold privacy standards. Despite existing research, significant fragmentation and the need for up-to-date studies persist. This research addresses this gap by analyzing 73 academic papers and classifying 580 privacy patterns by type, design strategy, and design tactic—a perspective not fully explored previously. The study aims to provide a comprehensive view of the progression in privacy pattern research and identify areas for further exploration, addressing contemporary challenges and outlining potential solutions for future research.

This study investigates the issue of dark patterns in the gaming industry, where game designs exploit users for revenue. It reviews the differing perspectives of academia, industry, and players on dark patterns, noting a lack of conversation among these groups. Using the RtD methodology, researchers developed a digital game to simulate dark patterns and foster understanding between industry practitioners and players. Employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, the game was tested by practitioner and non-practitioner players. The study resulted in two prototype improvement directions, with the practitioner-focused direction chosen for future research. Despite challenges, the project underscores the need for greater awareness and discussion of dark patterns to drive change in the gaming industry.

Dark patterns, which are deceptive design tactics, negatively impact user decision-making and can harm finances, privacy, and lifestyle. Most research on dark patterns has been conducted in Western countries, leaving a gap in other cultural contexts. This study addresses this by examining the prevalence and user perception of dark patterns in Bangladesh. Using a combination of automated methods and manual validation, researchers analyzed Bangladeshi e-commerce websites and surveyed university students. The study found that 18.3% of the websites contained dark patterns. It also revealed that students with a technology background are more aware and concerned about these tactics. This research highlights the need for further exploration of dark patterns in diverse cultural settings.

This research article examines the intersection of creativity and deceptive design patterns, focusing on confirmshaming as a case study. It highlights how these manipulative practices exploit digital technologies to influence user behavior, emphasizing the need for ethical awareness in digital design. The study advocates for preserving user autonomy and calls on the design community to prioritize responsible and humane digital technology practices.

This article explores the applicability of the AI Act to e-commerce companies using AI, and how well this aligns with the Act's objectives, considering the risks associated with AI in e-commerce. The AI Act employs a risk-based approach, and understanding its relevance to e-commerce activities is crucial for compliance. While some e-commerce practices may fall under prohibited activities, most are not classified as high-risk AI systems and thus are not fully regulated by the Act. Given the significant risks of manipulation and discrimination in e-commerce, the AI Act leaves a regulatory gap in addressing the use of AI in this sector.

Cookies are essential to today's internet, but in the EU, the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR require prior informed consent for their use. Websites typically use cookie banners to meet this requirement. However, due to inconsistent cookie laws and guidelines across EU member states, users encounter varying cookie banners, necessitating additional cognitive effort and time to manage them. Furthermore, consent mechanisms often remain deceptive, employing dark patterns and vague language. This paper proposes standardized cookie banners to address these issues, recommending uniform timing, position, text, presentation, consent options, and methods of consenting.

Privacy scholars have long criticized the broken consent and notice-and-choice system that has supported managerialism and privacy harms. This study proposes a new role for consent by reconceptualizing it as voting. It suggests replacing cookie banners with ballots and self-regulators with election monitors and government overseers. This approach aims to legitimize privacy proposals by incorporating the will of users, inviting ordinary citizens and advocates to the design table, and fostering dialogue, cooperation, and trust between companies and users.

This study examines the impact of dark patterns on users who recognize and avoid them. While these deceptive designs waste time and money, they also cause stress and frustration for users who must expend extra effort to navigate around them. Through a usability study of web pages with dark patterns, the research explores how the need to avoid these manipulative designs undermines trust in companies.

This study delves into the recognition and impact of deceptive patterns in Japan's digital environment, exploring how these manipulative design tactics influence user behavior and trust. By focusing on a Japanese context, the research investigates the role of demographic and psychological factors in detecting deceptive patterns and assesses their emotional and behavioral consequences on users. The findings reveal that higher awareness of deceptive patterns paradoxically does not enhance users’ ability to identify or resist them. This indicates that knowledge alone is insufficient against such manipulative designs, highlighting a critical need for actionable understanding and strategies to combat these practices.

Manipulative and deceptive design practices are ubiquitous, impacting technology users across various domains. Certain groups, like teenagers, are particularly susceptible yet understudied. This paper characterizes teenagers’ experiences with manipulative design. Through semi-structured interviews with six teenagers aged 15 to 17, we explore their daily interactions with manipulative designs in social networks, video games, and e-commerce. Reflexive thematic analysis reveals that risk is a shared experience for teenagers, shaped by their personal and social contexts. These findings are compared with existing research on the general population's experiences with manipulative designs, emphasizing the need for further understanding and support for teenagers and other vulnerable groups.