The distinction between nudging users towards relevant content and crossing into manipulation remains a contentious issue in the field of targeted advertisements and design. The proliferation of 'dark patterns' in web and mobile interfaces has exacerbated this challenge. Such deceptive designs often obstruct users from canceling subscriptions or deviating from default settings. In a recent position paper, the author explores the ethical implications of behavior manipulation through eye tracking in Virtual Reality (VR). This analysis highlights the complexities and challenges faced by emerging technologies in immersive spaces. The paper emphasizes the pressing need for clear regulatory guidelines to differentiate between beneficial nudges and potentially manipulative practices.

Regulators are increasingly alarmed by deceptive online design tactics, termed 'dark patterns' and 'behavioral sludge'. These tactics can mislead users, leading to economic harm and eroding trust in digital platforms. From a behavioral science standpoint, striking a balance between curbing deceptive designs and preserving beneficial behavioral insights is crucial. This article advocates for a principles-based regulatory approach, emphasizing transparency and fairness. Additionally, it proposes the use of behavioral audits as a tool to systematically evaluate and address deceptive practices in online platforms.

This article argues for the prohibition of hyper-engaging dark patterns in the European Union, highlighting their addictive design and potential health risks. Leveraging big data and behavioral traits, these patterns exploit the dopamine cycle, undermining user autonomy. The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive should deem them unlawful, with the Digital Services Act and Artificial Intelligence Act serving as complementary measures to address their widespread use on content-sharing platforms.

Dark patterns and digital nudging are influential techniques shaping online customer decisions. Analyzing 80 articles from reputable sources using the TCCM framework, this study offers five key contributions: enriching theoretical understanding, identifying deployment contexts, highlighting key characteristics, reviewing methodologies, and suggesting future research areas. By providing a comprehensive overview, the research informs both scholars and practitioners, enabling them to devise strategies to address customer pain points and promote a more transparent digital experience.

In the digital age, the rise of social media has intensified daily advertising exposure, particularly mobile game ads, leading to manipulative user experiences known as "Dark UX" or "Dark Patterns" (Brignull, 2013). This thesis investigates these Dark UX patterns in mobile game advertising, highlighting deceptive techniques and persuasive strategies. Through empirical analysis involving user experiences, interviews, and surveys (n=125), the study contrasts the short-term efficacy of these tactics with their long-term consequences: diminishing consumer trust and growing advertising aversion. Advocating for transparent, user-centric approaches, the research calls for an ethical reassessment by advertisers and mobile game developers to prioritize user rights and enhance overall user experience.

Traditional dark pattern research primarily emphasizes what designers should avoid, lacking positive design guidance. In contrast, a recent framework presents a proactive approach grounded in positive expected behavior, defined through abstract application concepts. Designs are identified as 'dark' when they compromise user expectations to favor the provider. Validated through three studies, this approach effectively describes existing dark patterns, evaluates design nuances, and catalogs prevalent application functionalities. This methodology bridges the theoretical gap, offering actionable insights for more user-centric design practices.

Dark patterns are deceptive UI strategies nudging users against their best interests. While algorithms detect these patterns, translating detections into user-friendly countermeasures remains a challenge. In an interactive lab study, three visual countermeasures were tested against 13 common dark patterns. Findings revealed user preferences for specific countermeasures, aiding the development of effective solutions and aligning with a recent dark pattern ontology.