Designing against dark patterns in digital products
Introduction
Designing against dark patterns in digital products helps teams remove manipulative UX tactics.
A consistent audit process aligns product design with consumer protection expectations.
Key Points
- Clear definitions help identify manipulative flows
- Consent and choice must be symmetrical
- Disclosures should be timely and readable
- Experimentation needs ethics guardrails
- Documentation supports regulator questions
How To
- Audit critical journeys for friction, nudges, and hidden costs.
- Review designs with legal, UX, and compliance stakeholders.
- Redesign choice architecture to present equal options.
- Update analytics and experimentation policies to flag risks.
- Maintain evidence of changes and user impact metrics.
Conclusion
Transparent UX builds trust and reduces regulatory exposure.