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Recognizing and Combatting Online ‘Dark Patterns’

By Peter Brown
March 01, 2025

“Consumers must be able to rely on the same conditions for protection [whether] they buy online or in the shop in their street. To further protect them in the digital age, our laws must evolve as swiftly as the technology we use.” — Věra Jourová, Vice President EU Commission for Values and Transparency

As online platforms become more sophisticated, so do the tactics designed to manipulate user behavior. Among these, “dark patterns” have emerged as a particularly concerning phenomenon.

These deceptive user interface designs subtly coerce users into actions they might not otherwise take — such as making unintended purchases, sharing personal data, or subscribing to services. Recognizing the growing risks these practices pose, both Connecticut and the European Union (EU) have introduced innovative regulations to curb them.

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