EU research found most popular websites and apps used one or more sneaky sales tactics on customers. Photograph: iStock
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Does shopping online sometimes feel a bit creepy? You could be right. There can be multiple different “dark patterns” at play, European Commission research has found. These techniques are extracting more money, data and attention from us than we might realise.
“Confirmshaming”, “roach motel”, “bait and switch” – these are just some of the ugly online sales tactics to make you nostalgic for the high street. At least there, no one sneaks things into your basket or raises the price of pants the more times you look at them.
There are many ways we can be manipulated online, the Commission’s Digital Fairness Check research found. Increased tracking of our online behaviour means we can be more effectively persuaded.
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