The European Union has accused X, formerly known as Twitter, of employing deceptive 'dark patterns' to mislead users. These practices have been found to violate the EU's new social media regulations under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Dark patterns are user interface designs that are crafted to manipulate users into taking actions that may not be in their best interest. These patterns exploit cognitive biases and lack of user attention to guide users towards decisions that benefit the service provider.
One example of a dark pattern used by X is the blue checkmarks, which were previously a mark of verification for celebrities and influential accounts. Under Elon Musk's ownership, any X user can now obtain a blue checkmark by paying $8 per month, leading to confusion and deception among users.
The EU's investigation revealed that this practice negatively impacts users' ability to make informed decisions about the authenticity of accounts and content they interact with. Additionally, X's compliance with transparency rules for advertising has also been called into question.
Dark patterns are not unique to X, as many platforms use similar tactics to influence user decisions. The EU's action against X is part of a broader effort to regulate digital platforms and protect users from manipulative practices.
Understanding and recognizing dark patterns is crucial for consumers to make informed decisions and for businesses to maintain trust and transparency. By being aware of these tactics and holding platforms accountable, users can make better choices in the digital landscape.
