Privacy

32517 readers

161 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Posting a link to a website containing tracking isn't great, if contents of the website are behind a paywall maybe copy them into the post
Don't promote proprietary software
Try to keep things on topic
If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered
Reposts are fine, but should have at least a couple of weeks in between so that the post can reach a new audience
Be nice :)

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

126

Dark patterns are everywhere (lemmy.ml)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

51 comments fedilink hide all child comments

It's pretty easy to spot dark patterns when you look out for them, but I found a pretty obvious example of this.

Stoofie is a brand that sells water fountains for your pet (I don't know what the problem with a water bowl is, but I digress). WayBack Machine

Plastered at the top of their website is "33% OFF Ends Today- Free Shipping" with no way to dismiss it. There is a scrolling text under the main image "FAST AND FREE SHIPPING 60-DAY FREE RETURNS"

If you scroll down, you're immediately introduced with a product with the option to buy two preselected. The rest of this section explains itself:

Other things are sprinkled in the main page, but it really is the prime example of dark patterns. I am personally sick of finding them, but would love to see more examples of what others have found. Please, share your favorite examples of dark patterns. Don't forget to archive them first so they can never be lived down.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm not sure what you mean by "dark patterns" in this context. Isn't this just marketing?

Is it that the more expensive choice is pre-selected? That the discounted price is likely just the real price and it's never sold at the higher price? (that one got Saatva in trouble! - https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/open-lawsuit-settlements/11-5m-saatva-com-false-advertising-class-action-settlement/)

[–] [email protected] -3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I read recently that the phrase "noticing patterns" is a racist dog whistle but I don't have a firm handle on how or why.
I don't know if dark patterns are exempt but the timing is weird.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Dude what are you on about lol. Wikipedia on dark patterns

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Oh hey greycat.