Investigation Focused on 13 Dark Patterns Including Subscription Cancellation Hindrance and Information Concealment
Lee Hae-min: “Should Lead to Practical Improvements, Not Just Formal Investigations”,
, Example of Online Dark Patterns
[Provided by the Broadcasting and Media Communications Committee. Redistribution and DB prohibited],
, (Seoul=Yonhap News) Na Hwak-jin Reporter = The Broadcasting and Media Communications Committee is launching an extensive examination into the widespread use of dark patterns (deceptive online tactics) in online services, such as leading users to specific choices or hindering cancellations by hiding information under the guise of offering free trials.’,
, “According to a plan received by National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee member Lee Hae-min of the National Innovation Party from the committee, they have set out a ‘Monitoring Plan for Major Dark Pattern Areas’ from this month to April next year. This plan targets major apps over a five-month period.”,
, ‘The investigation will cover a total of 40 apps across eight fields including travel, shopping, OTT (online video services), AI (artificial intelligence), webtoons, finance, and delivery, focusing on the top five apps by user numbers. It will inspect 13 types of dark pattern practices such as subscription cancellation hindrance and excessive collection of user data.’,
, “Earlier this year, the committee published a ‘Dark Patterns Casebook for the Protection of Digital Service Users’ in January and called for user vigilance.”,
, ‘During a state audit this year, Councilor Lee pointed out certain problems, such as a ticket service based on facial recognition making the “Do it Later” button hard to notice, and failure to adequately inform users that data would be provided to third parties. He emphasized that inducing agreement without full user awareness, especially in services aimed at teenagers, is a classic dark pattern.’,
, ‘He further urged the committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation of dark pattern victim cases and to devise countermeasures, highlighting that dark pattern cases infringing on user choices are spreading across various online and mobile services.’,
, National Innovation Party member Lee Hae-min questioning during the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee’s audit at the Korea Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) in Daejeon on the 24th of last month. [Yonhap News file photo],
, ‘Councilor Lee stated, “The officialization of extensive monitoring by the committee as a follow-up to the state audit is a significant advancement for consumer rights protection.” He added, “I will ensure that this monitoring leads to practical improvements, such as establishing guidelines and strengthening protection standards for vulnerable groups, rather than being mere formalities.”‘
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