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Ever tap that little ‘X’ on your phone a few times for it to work? It’s not your finger—it’s a dark pattern designed stop you from leaving the app.
In my Sunrise interview I talk about how an OECD study found 76% of sites use multiple design tricks. Particularly on shopping sites.
Here’s 3 you’ve likely seen:
1. Fake urgency “Only 1 left!’ ‘3 minutes until your cart expires!’ That countdown is pressure—so you buy before you think.”
2. The spin-to-win trap Spinning wheels, ‘80% OFF if you click NOW!’ It’s designed so you impulse buy. You stop the wheel, you spend $80 you didn’t plan to.
3. Guilt-tripping upsell Extras are automatically added to your cart like car insurance in your rental cart. You have to remove it, so it makes you think maybe I do need it. Or you untick the extras and you’ll read something “No I do not want to lead a healthy life. Imagine a cashier sneaking items into your trolley and you have to remove them!
These work on us! Which one seems to work on you?
#scam #onlineshopping #cybersafety #tech #temu
