This gives us access to different types of content and features for a certain monthly fee. subscription services It is incredibly popular these days. Millions of people around the world can use such services. However, new reports reveal the dark side of companies that offer subscriptions.

A joint study conducted by the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) and the Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN) has found that most subscription services influence customer behavior for in English dark pattern known as “dark patternsHe discovered that he was using.

Subscribers are being manipulated

Let’s briefly talk about what dark patterns are. This method, which is widely used in the interfaces of many websites, is aimed at making users make the choices that companies want, and coercing and manipulating them to do so. In other words, you are forced to do something with this method, even if it is not in your best interest. Going through all kinds of processes when canceling a subscription can be an example of this.

ICPEN’s report evaluated 642 websites and mobile applications that used the subscription system. The results showed that nearly 76% of platforms used dark patterns, and 68% used more than one of these methods. So, almost all services tried to manipulate their customers.

One of the most common is that companies was that it made it difficult to find negative information. In another case, it was made difficult for users to turn off auto-renewal on subscription-based services, with 81% doing so. Among other things, users can use additional information about themselves to gain access to certain actions. providing information This included things like having to.

In GPENs, over 1000 sites and applications were analyzed and in most of them similar results were seen. 89% used confusing language in their privacy policies. Interface interference, including things like providing information we mentioned above, was also common. It was even observed that the privacy option that protects the user the least is the one that is chosen the most. It was found that 42% preferred emotional language that could influence users.

Both reports show that some users may not actually make their own decisions about internet services, but may be manipulated by sites. This can bring risks, such as sharing too much of your personal information. It is also good to be careful about this kind of thing. Digital literacy is of great importance.