The European consumer authorities have found many manipulative practices on commercial websites. This has been revealed by a joint study that looked into 399 websites on which various products such as clothing and electronics are sold. The study showed that 148 websites contained at least three different manipulative practices, so-called ‘dark patterns’. A follow-up investigation will be launched into these practices.
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) also took part in the study. Studies into the way in which online retailers capitalize on consumer behavior are one of ACM’s focus areas for 2023. ACM, too, will conduct a follow-up investigation into Dutch online retailers that use illegal manipulative practices, so-called ‘dark patterns’.