Conditions access to a desired function on an additional action, disclosure or commitment that is not inherently required for the user's goal.
This family contains 6 canonical practicesand 12 paired fictional interface examples. It is a learning and review structure, not a statutory category, regulator finding or conclusion that a particular interface is unlawful.
Begin with observable interface states and sequences. These signals are prompts to preserve evidence and ask better questions; they are not a shortcut to the elements of an Australian legal test.
A desired task is blocked by an additional action, disclosure, payment or permission.
The extra requirement is not clearly necessary for the user’s stated goal.
A refusal or skip route is missing, delayed or materially less usable.
Fairer design
Principles for a more neutral choice
A fairer alternative should preserve the person’s intended task while making consequences, alternatives and changes of mind usable. It is a practical comparison, not a legal safe harbour.
Request only actions and information needed for the selected task.
Separate optional permissions, purchases and referrals from core access.
Provide a clear refusal or skip route without degrading the requested service.
Australian legal context
Apply the legal layer after identifying the mechanism
A taxonomy helps reviewers name and compare an interaction. Legal analysis still depends on the provision in force, the complete journey, the consumer context, evidence and the alleged detriment. Keep these layers separate in reports and release decisions.
Current law and enforcement
Existing ACL provisions, including misleading conduct and false-representation rules, may apply now where their own elements are satisfied. Do not describe current cases as enforcement of section 28B.
Enacted section 28B
From 1 July 2027, the general prohibition requires consumer-connected conduct that manipulates the consumer or unreasonably distorts the decision environment and causes, or is likely to cause, financial or other detriment. A family label alone satisfies none of those elements.
Regulations and guidance
Pending regulations or dedicated regulator guidance must be marked as pending until published and verified. They must not be silently converted into present duties, exclusions or regulator-approved design rules.
Editorial implementation guidance
Recognition signals, fair-design principles and evidence prompts on this page support product, design, engineering and legal review. They do not replace advice on a specific journey or certify compliance.
Review complete transitions rather than isolated screens. The same mechanism can change meaning when a person is comparing prices, confirming a purchase, managing an account or trying to leave a service.
Each guide provides a plain-language definition, inclusion and exclusion boundaries, at least two paired HTML examples, fairer alternatives, review questions, evidence prompts and a context-specific Australian legal-information map.
Editorial implementation guidanceForced action
Automatic attention capture
Automatic attention capture is a working label for this design mechanism: Content continues automatically or lacks meaningful stopping cues, reducing deliberate control over time and attention. This is editorial implementation guidance for Australian journeys, not a finding of unlawfulness. From 1 July 2027, a similar interface is relevant to ACL section 28B only if the complete consumer-connection, manipulation or unreasonable-distortion and actual-or-likely-detriment test is met. Current ACL rules require a separate assessment.
Contact harvesting and coerced referrals is a working label for this design mechanism: The service extracts contact information, sends or prepares unwanted invitations, or ties functionality to recruiting other people. This is editorial implementation guidance for Australian journeys, not a finding of unlawfulness. From 1 July 2027, a similar interface is relevant to ACL section 28B only if the complete consumer-connection, manipulation or unreasonable-distortion and actual-or-likely-detriment test is met. Current ACL rules require a separate assessment.
Forced disclosure or excessive data request is a working label for this design mechanism: Access or progression is conditioned on disclosing personal information that appears unnecessary, excessive or used for an insufficiently explained secondary purpose. This is editorial implementation guidance for Australian journeys, not a finding of unlawfulness. From 1 July 2027, a similar interface is relevant to ACL section 28B only if the complete consumer-connection, manipulation or unreasonable-distortion and actual-or-likely-detriment test is met. Current ACL rules require a separate assessment.
Forced or bundled consent is a working label for this design mechanism: Access is conditioned on accepting optional or separable data uses, communications or permissions as one bundled choice. This is editorial implementation guidance for Australian journeys, not a finding of unlawfulness. From 1 July 2027, a similar interface is relevant to ACL section 28B only if the complete consumer-connection, manipulation or unreasonable-distortion and actual-or-likely-detriment test is met. Current ACL rules require a separate assessment.
Forced registration is a working label for this design mechanism: The user must create an account, or is led to believe one is required, to complete a goal that could plausibly be provided without it. This is editorial implementation guidance for Australian journeys, not a finding of unlawfulness. From 1 July 2027, a similar interface is relevant to ACL section 28B only if the complete consumer-connection, manipulation or unreasonable-distortion and actual-or-likely-detriment test is met. Current ACL rules require a separate assessment.
Gamified or paid access coercion is a working label for this design mechanism: Desired functionality is practically conditioned on repetitive engagement or an additional payment not sufficiently clear at acquisition. This is editorial implementation guidance for Australian journeys, not a finding of unlawfulness. From 1 July 2027, a similar interface is relevant to ACL section 28B only if the complete consumer-connection, manipulation or unreasonable-distortion and actual-or-likely-detriment test is met. Current ACL rules require a separate assessment.
