DARK PATTERNS: WHEN DESIGN CROSSES THE LINE

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Dark patterns are intentional design tactics that manipulate users into taking unwanted actions, such as subscribing to services, making purchases, or sharing personal data, for the benefit of businesses rather than users. These deceptive interfaces exploit cognitive biases and psychological vulnerabilities, going beyond poor design to deliberately trick users. As regulators increase scrutiny, dark patterns have evolved from an ethical concern to a legal issue that UX professionals must address through transparent, responsible design practices.