Automatic attention capture
Autoplay overrides a session limit
A fictional video service starts another clip when a user’s chosen twenty-minute limit is reached and hides the leave action behind a full-screen recommendation.
OECD aligned example group · 12 comparisons
Forced action interface examples
Conditions access to a desired function on an additional action, disclosure or commitment that is not inherently required for the user's goal.
Select one example to inspect the complete problematic and neutral HTML interfaces. These fictional comparisons support learning and review. The group is a working taxonomy, not a statutory category or a conclusion that a particular interface is unlawful.
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Automatic attention capture
Infinite catalogue without progress cues
A fictional marketplace continuously inserts new products and removes pagination, position and viewed-item markers while promotional prompts follow the shopper.
Contact harvesting and coerced referrals
Address-book import blocks onboarding
A fictional community app stops onboarding at an address-book permission screen and gives no visible way to continue without uploading contacts.
Contact harvesting and coerced referrals
Feature unlocked by recruiting friends
A fictional workspace keeps export disabled until the user supplies three colleagues’ addresses and sends invitations from the service.
Forced or bundled consent
Optional analytics bundled with access
A fictional news service presents one accept control for essential storage, audience analytics, advertising profiles and partner sharing, while access is blocked.
Forced or bundled consent
Purchase terms combined with promotions
A fictional ticket seller requires one checkbox that accepts the purchase terms, promotional messages and sharing with event partners.
Forced disclosure or excessive data request
Exact birth date required for a delivery estimate
A fictional furniture shop requires a visitor to disclose an exact birth date and mobile number before showing whether delivery is available to the entered postcode.
Forced disclosure or excessive data request
Excessive details for product comparison
A fictional comparison tool requires occupation, exact birth date, mobile number and marketing preference before showing the plans that are available in a postcode.
Forced registration
Account wall at guest checkout
A fictional retailer removes guest checkout after an item is added and requires a full account, date of birth and saved password before payment can continue.
Forced registration
Profile required before price estimate
A fictional repair service asks visitors to create a profile and verify a phone number before it reveals even an indicative service price.
Gamified or paid access coercion
Energy gate before a purchased level
A fictional game sells a chapter pass but requires hours of repetitive daily tasks or another payment before the purchased final level becomes playable.
Gamified or paid access coercion
Reward loop required for document export
A fictional study service makes certificate export depend on completing seven daily streak tasks that were not disclosed when the course was bought.
Sources used across this example group
Evidence base
Sources
- Dark commercial patternsOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development · Secondary · checked 2026-09-14 · OECD Digital Economy Papers No. 336
- Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Act 2026Federal Register of Legislation · Primary · checked 2026-09-14 · C2026A00064
- An Ontology of Dark Patterns KnowledgeGray et al.; ACM CHI 2024 · Secondary · checked 2026-09-14 · DOI 10.1145/3613904.3642436; arXiv:2309.09640
- Behavioural study on unfair commercial practices in the digital environmentEuropean Commission, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers · Secondary · checked 2026-09-14 · DOI 10.2838/859030; ISBN 978-92-76-52316-1
- Competition and Consumer Act 2010, including Schedule 2: Australian Consumer LawFederal Register of Legislation · Primary · checked 2026-09-14 · C2004A00109
- Manipulative conduct in the digital economy, pricing claims and competition in essential services among ACCC priorities for year aheadAustralian Competition and Consumer Commission · Primary · checked 2026-08-09