Editorial implementation guidance
Journey evidence worksheet
Use the existing learning taxonomy to choose an evidence question. This worksheet is our implementation interpretation. It does not turn research terms into legal rules or classify a real business.
- Record the journey, release, date, user context and available starting state.
- Capture the complete sequence, visible options, wording, defaults and outcomes.
- Identify the applicable rule, scope, status and each element separately.
- Record evidence supporting and challenging the concern, legitimate explanations and unobserved steps.
- Assign a responsible decision maker, preserve the evidence and test the fairer alternative.
Regulatory claims and source revisions · Readiness checklist
| Research term and journey | Legal mapping and status | Evidence to retain | Fairer alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic attention capture Account Management, Pricing | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In account management and pricing journeys, the automatic attention capture mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The forced action label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the forced action family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Require deliberate continuation or provide clear, persistent pause and disable controls with natural stopping cues. |
| Contact harvesting and coerced referrals Signup, Account Management | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In signup and account management journeys, the contact harvesting and coerced referrals mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The forced action label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the forced action family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Make contact access and referrals optional, granular and previewable; require affirmative confirmation for every recipient and message. |
| Forced or bundled consent Signup, Checkout | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In signup and checkout journeys, the forced or bundled consent mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The forced action label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the forced action family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Separate distinct purposes, make optional uses genuinely optional, and provide an equally accessible refusal path. |
| Forced disclosure or excessive data request Pricing | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In pricing journeys, the forced disclosure or excessive data request mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The forced action label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the forced action family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Request only data necessary for the current goal, make secondary uses optional, and explain purpose and consequences clearly. |
| Forced registration Checkout, Pricing | ACL section 28B(2), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Potentially applies when the gate forms part of manipulative or unreasonably distorting conduct and likely detriment results. ACL section 28B(6)(d), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Offers a non-exhaustive example involving unreasonable obstruction of making or fulfilling a decision. |
| Provide a clearly visible guest or no-account path unless registration is genuinely necessary, and explain necessity before collecting data. |
| Gamified or paid access coercion Account Management | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In account management journeys, the gamified or paid access coercion mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The forced action label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the forced action family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Disclose access conditions before acquisition and avoid making disproportionate repetition or surprise payment the practical path to expected functionality. |
| Bundled options Checkout, Pricing | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In checkout and pricing journeys, the bundled options mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The interface interference label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the interface interference family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Show component consequences and prices and provide granular, equally accessible choices where components are separable. |
| Choice or information overload Pricing, Signup | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In pricing and signup journeys, the choice or information overload mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The interface interference label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the interface interference family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Structure choices around comparable dimensions, surface key consequences and avoid using volume to hide a default or preferred outcome. |
| Complex or inaccessible language Cancellation, Checkout | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In cancellation and checkout journeys, the complex or inaccessible language mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The interface interference label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the interface interference family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Use the user's selected language, plain structure and explained terminology for material consequences. |
| Disguised advertisement or action Pricing | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In pricing journeys, the disguised advertisement or action mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The interface interference label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the interface interference family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Label advertising and action outcomes clearly before interaction and avoid mimicking unrelated controls or editorial content. |
| False hierarchy Signup, Subscription | ACL section 28B(1) to (2), inserted by the 2026 Act: Express rule. Prohibits the practice only where consumer connection, manipulation or unreasonable distortion, and likely detriment are all present. ACL section 28B(6)(d), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Provides a non-exhaustive, non-per-se example concerning pressure or obstruction in a decision environment, including digital design. |
| Present parallel choices with comparable visual weight, affordance and accessibility, especially where outcomes differ in cost, privacy or commitment. |
| Feedforward ambiguity Checkout, Account Management | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In checkout and account management journeys, the feedforward ambiguity mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The interface interference label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the interface interference family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Name the material consequence in the action label or immediately adjacent disclosure before activation. |
| Hidden or ineffective material information Pricing | ACL section 28B(6)(b), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Failure to disclose material information is a non-exhaustive example that may be an unfair trading practice. ACL section 28B(6)(c), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Complex, ineffective, unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous, untimely or overwhelming disclosure is another non-exhaustive example. ACL sections 18 and 29: Current law. Existing provisions may already address an omission or presentation that creates a misleading overall impression or false representation. |
| Present material information clearly, prominently and at the point where it can affect the decision; do not rely on optional expansion or late disclosure. |
| Confirmshaming and emotional pressure Checkout, Cancellation | ACL section 28B(2), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Potentially applies where the language manipulates or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes or is likely to cause detriment. ACL section 28B(6)(d), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Identifies unreasonable pressure in a decision environment as a non-exhaustive example. |
| Use neutral, consequence-based labels and avoid shame, fear or moral judgement in decline or alternative actions. |
| Misleading reference pricing Pricing | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In pricing journeys, the misleading reference pricing mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The interface interference label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the interface interference family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Use a truthful, representative comparison basis and explain the reference period or basis close to the claim. |
| Preselection and biased defaults Checkout, Subscription | ACL section 28B(2), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Supplies the complete contextual test from commencement. ACL section 28B(6)(c) to (d), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Ineffective material disclosure and pressure or obstruction through design may be relevant non-exhaustive examples. |
| Use a neutral or consumer-protective default and require affirmative selection for added cost, data use, tracking or commitment. |
| Pressured upselling Subscription, Checkout | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In subscription and checkout journeys, the pressured upselling mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The interface interference label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the interface interference family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Present price and commitment alternatives comparably and avoid preselecting or obscuring the more expensive outcome. |
| Trick question Signup, Cancellation | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In signup and cancellation journeys, the trick question mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The interface interference label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the interface interference family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Use explicit action labels that name the resulting state, remove double negatives and verify that each response produces the consequence a user can reasonably predict. |
| Repeated prompting Signup, Checkout | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In signup and checkout journeys, the repeated prompting mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The nagging label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the nagging family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Respect decline and dismissal, provide a durable preference, and limit reminders to justified, transparent intervals. |
| Account deletion obstruction Account Management | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In account management journeys, the account deletion obstruction mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The obstruction label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the obstruction family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Offer a clear self-service deletion route, distinguish deletion from deactivation, and confirm the resulting state. |
| Comparison prevention Pricing | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In pricing journeys, the comparison prevention mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The obstruction label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the obstruction family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Use consistent units, terminology and side-by-side material totals with accessible supporting detail. |
| Customer-support obstruction Account Management, Pricing | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In account management and pricing journeys, the customer-support obstruction mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The obstruction label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the obstruction family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Provide a discoverable support route, preserve context, and offer viable escalation for unresolved material issues. |
| Dead end Account Management, Cancellation | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In account management and cancellation journeys, the dead end mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The obstruction label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the obstruction family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Provide a functional completion route, preserve progress, and surface recoverable errors equally across options. |
| Cancellation friction Cancellation | ACL section 48F(1), inserted by the 2026 Act: Express rule. Requires a way to end, with every supplied way easy to find, straightforward and limited to reasonably necessary steps to end and protect the subscriber's interests. ACL section 48F(2), inserted by the 2026 Act: Express rule. Requires at least one online exit where entry occurred online or the supplier offers online entry for the same kind of goods or services. ACL sections 48G to 48H, inserted by the 2026 Act: Express rule. Define consumer and qualifying standard-form small-business subscription scope. ACL section 28B(6)(a) and (d), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Provides non-exhaustive examples concerning legal rights/remedies and obstruction. |
| Provide an easy-to-find, direct exit path with only necessary verification and clear completion confirmation. |
| Intermediate currency Checkout | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In checkout journeys, the intermediate currency mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The obstruction label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the obstruction family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Show the current real-money equivalent and total before commitment and avoid conversion structures that obscure or strand value. |
| Obstructed alternative Checkout, Signup | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In checkout and signup journeys, the obstructed alternative mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The obstruction label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the obstruction family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Place equivalent alternatives in the same decision context with comparable discoverability and no unnecessary steps. |
| Privacy maze Account Management | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In account management journeys, the privacy maze mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The obstruction label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the obstruction family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Provide a coherent privacy-control overview, consistent labels and direct controls for common restrictive choices. |
| Bait and switch Account Management, Checkout | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In account management and checkout journeys, the bait and switch mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The sneaking label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the sneaking family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Make the action produce its represented result or disclose and obtain assent to any material change before commitment. |
| Drip pricing and mandatory fees Checkout, Pricing | ACL section 48A(1) to (5), inserted by the 2026 Act: Express rule. Sets the product scope and the transaction-charge disclosure content, timing and presentation requirements. ACL section 48A(6) to (8), inserted by the 2026 Act: Express rule. Defines base price and transaction-based charge and lists excluded amounts. ACL section 48A(9) to (10), inserted by the 2026 Act: Express rule. Allows prescribed exclusions and preserves the operation of the existing section 48 single-price rule. |
| Show unavoidable and transaction-linked charges with the price, including amount or method, applicability and inclusion status. |
| Subscription traps and automatic renewal Subscription, Checkout | ACL sections 48B to 48C, inserted by the 2026 Act: Express rule. Define subscription contracts and exclude leases, real-property licences, hire-purchase, instalment-payment contracts, childcare, specified school tuition and prescribed kinds. ACL section 48D, inserted by the 2026 Act: Express rule. Requires the offer to state that the arrangement would be a subscription and disclose liabilities, period, continuation, required notice, exit method and any prescribed matter with specified clarity and timing. ACL section 48E, inserted by the 2026 Act: Express rule. For prescribed subscription contracts meeting the consumer or small-business requirement, requires prescribed information at each prescribed time and in the required manner. ACL sections 48G to 48H, inserted by the 2026 Act: Express rule. Define consumer and small-business requirements and the standard-form-contract test for the subscription division. ACL sections 18 and 29: Current law. May already apply to misleading subscription status, price, renewal or trial-conversion representations. |
| Present every material subscription, renewal and exit term clearly before assent and satisfy current notice rules. |
| Negative option or unauthorised transaction Subscription, Cancellation | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In subscription and cancellation journeys, the negative option or unauthorised transaction mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The sneaking label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the sneaking family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Obtain clear, specific assent before any paid consequence and do not treat silence or inactivity as a new authorisation. |
| Sneak into basket Checkout | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In checkout journeys, the sneak into basket mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The sneaking label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the sneaking family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Add an item only after a deliberate selection, preserve removal through every recalculation and show the updated line item and total before commitment. |
| Activity messages Pricing | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In pricing journeys, the activity messages mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The social proof label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the social proof family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Use accurate, auditable and appropriately time-bounded activity data and explain what the metric represents. |
| Popularity claims Pricing | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In pricing journeys, the popularity claims mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The social proof label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the social proof family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Use popularity claims only with a defined population, period and metric; document the calculation beside the claim or replace it with factual product information. |
| Testimonials or endorsements Pricing | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In pricing journeys, the testimonials or endorsements mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The social proof label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the social proof family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Use authentic, supportable testimonials and clearly disclose material commercial connections and limitations. |
| Countdown timer Pricing, Checkout | ACL section 28B(2), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Potentially applies where a pressure device manipulates or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes or is likely to cause detriment. ACL section 28B(6)(d), inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. Identifies unreasonable pressure in a decision environment as an example that may satisfy the prohibition. ACL sections 18 and 29: Current law. May already apply where an urgency, stock, demand or duration claim is false or creates a misleading overall impression. |
| Use timers only for genuine deadlines, keep them consistent, and make the represented consequence occur at expiry. |
| High-demand claim Pricing | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In pricing journeys, the high-demand claim mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The urgency label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the urgency family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Base demand messages on current auditable data and state the metric and period without exaggeration. |
| Limited-time or reservation claim Pricing, Checkout | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In pricing and checkout journeys, the limited-time or reservation claim mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The urgency label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the urgency family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Use genuine fixed time limits, state the consequence accurately, and stop displaying the claim when it expires. |
| Low-stock claim Pricing, Checkout | ACL section 28B, inserted by the 2026 Act: Possible risk indicator. In pricing and checkout journeys, the low-stock claim mechanism may warrant review where it manipulates a consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, detriment. The urgency label and an interface similarity do not establish a contravention; the complete section 28B test, scope, facts and evidence must be applied from 1 July 2027. Dark-pattern research taxonomy: Editorial analysis. The cited research sources support this working pattern within the urgency family. It is editorial implementation guidance, not an Australian statutory category, regulator finding or legal safe harbour. |
| Use current inventory data, avoid false precision, and remove or update the claim promptly when stock changes. |