A glossary of dirty tricks websites use against their readers

Mark Frauenfelder 9:02 am Tue Sep 3, 2019

Dark patterns are sneaky tricks websites use to fool users into doing things they don't want to do. This video and glossary describes a number of the manipulative ruses and gives some examples.

Confirmshaming
The act of guilting the user into opting into something. The option to decline is worded in such a way as to shame the user into compliance.

Forced Continuity
When your free trial with a service comes to an end and your credit card silently starts getting charged without any warning. In some cases this is made even worse by making it difficult to cancel the membership.

Sneak into Basket
You attempt to purchase something, but somewhere in the purchasing journey the site sneaks an additional item into your basket, often through the use of an opt-out radio button or checkbox on a prior page.

Roach Motel
You get into a situation very easily, but then you find it is hard to get out of it (e.g. a premium subscription).

Image: YouTube

This electronic ultrasonic bug and rat repellent device has a circuit to light LEDs, but nothing else

This "ultrasonic" pest repellent just has circuit to control LEDs inside from r/assholedesign This Adtala ultrasonic bug and rat repellent device is advertised as having an "Upgraded Smart Chip." Reddit user SoggyMonsoon opened the case and found a circuit with 2 LEDS, 2 diodes, and three resistors, but no Upgraded Smart Chip. Does it even… READ THE REST
Toilet designed to be uncomfortable to sit on, aimed at boosting employee productivity

A Staffordshire company called StandardToilet has designed a toilet with a seat that tilts downward, making it painful to sit on for more than a few minutes. From StandardToilet's website: It is estimated that in the United Kingdom alone, extended employee breaks costs industry and commerce an estimated £4 billion per annum. Moreover, medical studies… READ THE REST
How Disney teaches kids to be suspicious

It's important for kids to learn that the world is replete with charlatans, mountebanks, rascals, rogues, hustlers, flim-flammers, tricksters, and con artists. Disney is doing its part by selling a kit of "1001 Stickers" of famous Disney princesses like Ariel, Jasmine, etc. But when kids open the package, they'll see that 768 of the stickers… READ THE REST
This digital nomad bundle outfits you to work and learn from anywhere

The work from home revolution has rapidly become the work from anywhere revolution. But not everything has caught up to this new style of work, including the technology that powers digital nomads. Rebel workers can find all the tools they need with the DUEX Lite laptop screen, a lifetime subscription to VPN Unlimited, and unlimited… READ THE REST
Get a good night's sleep and put an end to your snoring once and for all for $65

We all know someone who is a terrible snorer or, maybe, that person is us! Either way, everyone hates snoring. The bad news is, it can be tough to stop because we aren't aware of what may be causing the snoring in the first place. The good news is, the VVFLY Smart Snore Eye Mask… READ THE REST
Give your neck and shoulders the relief they're craving with over $100 off this massager

If you've been recently injured, have chronic issues from arthritis, or are like so many of us dealing with poor posture due to working an office job, neck and shoulder pain can be relentless. While those problems may never go away completely without professional help, there's an easy way to alleviate temporary pain efficiently and… READ THE REST