Dark patterns have evolved—from aggressive pop-ups to AI-powered manipulation. This article explores the latest design tactics that trick users into decisions they wouldn’t consciously make. As regulation sharpens and user awareness grows, we explore how design teams can spot and dismantle unethical experiences.
Main Points
- The evolution of dark UX patterns over the past decade
- 2025’s most common patterns: confirmshaming, fake urgency, forced continuity, and AI-led micro-manipulations
- The legal landscape (EAA, GDPR, DSA) and compliance pressure
- Psychological effects of manipulative UX design
- How to design ethically while still hitting business KPIs
- Teams and tools for auditing design ethics
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