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Willing to dig further on dark patterns? Here are curated resources, including hundreds of publications we analyzed in our R&D Lab, conferences, webinars and job opportunities to fight dark patterns.

Dominique Kelly and Jacquelyn Burkell

Privacy dark patterns are deceptive user interface designs nudging users to share personal data, often seen in social media defaults and hidden "skip" buttons. A project targeting Canadian youth's experiences with these patterns revealed limited initial awareness. However, when prompted, teens could identify and resist these tactics. The study also reviewed regulatory approaches across Canada, the US, and the EU, aiming to inform effective frameworks and educational resources to empower users against these manipulations.

Philippe Valoggia, Anastasia Sergeeva, Arianna Rossi and Marietjie Botes

In recent research, the privacy engineering literature, while outlining design requirements, often lacks practical implementation strategies. Concurrently, "dark patterns"—deceptive interface designs—are increasingly bypassing these standards. Through expert analysis aligning dark patterns with ISO/IEC 29100:2011 Privacy Principles, clusters of potential violations were identified. This study underscores the need for practical guidelines to ensure technology designs uphold recognized privacy standards.

Vicky Chung, Dominique Kelly and Jacquelyn Burkell

Despite users' awareness of deceptive UI design tactics, known as dark patterns, their behavioral responses often diverge from this knowledge. Studies indicate users can identify and feel annoyed by these manipulations, yet they frequently succumb to them, such as consenting to tracking or unintended subscriptions. Advancements in automatic detection methods highlight the growing tech-driven efforts to combat these practices. Consequently, there's a pressing need for regulatory measures to ensure ethical UI design and protect user autonomy online.

Ophelia Prillard, Costas Boletsis and Shukun Tokas

The burgeoning metaverse presents unprecedented privacy challenges, particularly concerning the extensive data collection capabilities of XR devices. Through a case study of Meta Horizon Workrooms, this research identifies key obstacles, such as opaque privacy policies and complex user interfaces. Drawing on established best practices, ethical design solutions are proposed, including informed user interfaces and clearer consent procedures, aiming to mitigate privacy concerns and foster a more transparent digital environment.

Claire Bessant, Laurel Aynne Cook, Luei Lin Ong, Alexa Fox, Mariea Grubbs Hoy, Pingping Gan, Emma Nottingham, Beatriz Pereira and Stacey Steinberg

Dark design, characterized by deceptive user interfaces aimed at manipulating user behavior, poses significant risks, especially for children. This paper delves into the influence of dark design across various digital mediums and age groups, alongside parental awareness and the efficacy of marketplace and regulatory controls. By addressing these concerns, it aims to contribute to safeguarding children's online experiences from deceptive practices.

Mathew Iantorno, Dan Guadagnolo and Adrian Petterson

This conference paper addresses the underexplored area of "dark patterns" in digital marketing and interface design, which manipulate users into actions against their interests. By integrating perspectives from diverse disciplines such as business, marketing, science, and disability studies, the paper showcases three curriculum-building projects. These projects aim to broaden the definition of dark patterns and incorporate them into university courses, introducing them as valuable pedagogical concepts within communications, technology, and design disciplines.

Mario Arias-Oliva, Jorge Pelegrín-Borondo, Kiyoshi Murata, Ana María Lara Palma and Manuel Ollé Sesé

Alan M. Turing's inquiry from 1950 on whether machines can think is more relevant than ever as Artificial Intelligence (AI) advances rapidly, outstripping human capabilities in various domains. However, as AI takes on more decision-making roles in businesses, concerns about transparency, interpretability, and ethics emerge. This article discusses the importance of Explainable AI (XAI) in fostering ethical decision-making within the business realm, addressing the need for transparency and accountability in AI systems.

Lene Pettersen and Faltin Karlsen

The study conducted in 2022 delved into the intricate business models of dating applications against the backdrop of escalating numbers of involuntary singles. Through a meticulous blend of 22 in-depth interviews, systematic app analyses, and diary studies centered on Norwegian users, the research aimed to untangle the paradoxical dynamics inherent in these platforms. By amalgamating user insights with platform functionalities, the study sought to offer a nuanced portrayal of an industry situated at the crossroads of technology and human connections.

Fleur Jongepier and Michael Klenk

This volume delves into the nuanced debates surrounding online manipulation, investigating its conceptual nature and methodological definitions. It examines how online manipulation may threaten autonomy, freedom, and existential meaning, and explores the epistemic, affective, and political harms it poses. Additionally, the volume considers legal and regulatory perspectives on online manipulation, providing valuable insights for researchers and students in moral philosophy, digital ethics, and the ethics of manipulation.

Pusztahelyi Réka

This study aims to investigate whether EU legislation is effectively addressing the rise of dark patterns on online platforms. Dark patterns, deceptive design tactics used to collect personal data for commercial purposes, are increasingly prevalent. While platform operators seek extensive personal data for targeted marketing, concerns arise regarding potential abuses, both minor and major, in the pursuit of this data.

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