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Dark Patterns

Also: Deceptive design

Interface designs that manipulate people into choices they would not otherwise make: a prominent accept button and a hidden decline, pre-ticked boxes, confusing double negatives. The FTC, the CPPA, and European regulators have all acted against dark patterns in consent flows, and consent obtained through them is invalid.

Cite this entry: Agency Echelon. "Dark Patterns." Agency Echelon Reference, reviewed September 2026. https://agencyechelon.com/reference/glossary/dark-patterns/

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Reviewed September 23, 2026. Reference text is licensed CC BY 4.0. Privacy