sneaking practice

Participants examined several types of dark patterns, using descriptions of the practices as set out by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development(link is external). The potential dark patterns most often encountered during the review were sneaking practices, which involve hiding or delaying the disclosure of information that might affect a consumer’s purchase decision, and interface interference, techniques such as obscuring important information or preselecting options that frame information in a way that steers consumers toward making decisions more favorable for the business.

FTC, ICPEN, GPEN Announce Results of Review of Use of Dark Patterns Affecting Subscription Services, Privacy Henry Liu, Director of the Bureau of Competition 2024