Sneak into basket
Donation added without a deliberate choice
A fictional grocery service inserts a $2 charity donation into the basket when the shopper chooses a delivery slot, without showing a selection control.
Individual HTML example · Sneaking
Removed accessory returns after cart refresh
A fictional store adds a cable bundle to a laptop order, lets the shopper remove it, then silently restores it when the delivery postcode changes.
This is an original fictional comparison. It depicts no real business and is not a regulator finding, statutory category or legal safe harbour.
Removed accessory returns after cart refresh
A fictional store adds a cable bundle to a laptop order, lets the shopper remove it, then silently restores it when the delivery postcode changes.
Updated order · $829. The $30 cable bundle returns after a postcode edit.. Accessory restored. Add cable bundle $30
Updated order · $799. The shopper’s removal persists through recalculation.. Amount affected: $30. Add cable bundle $30. Accessory restored. Payable total and selected items, expanded: The summary shows the line items and total before “Add cable bundle $30” is activated.
Why the first version can mislead: The final commercial state diverges from the choice represented earlier in the journey. The problematic state records: “The $30 cable bundle returns after a postcode edit.” Review the timing and affirmative selection needed before “Accessory restored” changes price, product or recurring liability. A removed item can re-enter the transaction and create an unintended charge.
What a fairer design does: Persist removal across all cart updates and require a new deliberate add action before restoring an accessory.
Show annotated differences (4)
Potentially problematic version
- The $30 cable bundle returns after a postcode edit.Why this state matters: The final commercial state diverges from the choice represented earlier in the journey. The problematic state records: “The $30 cable bundle returns after a postcode edit.” Review the timing and affirmative selection needed before “Accessory restored” changes price, product or recurring liability. A removed item can re-enter the transaction and create an unintended charge.
- Add cable bundle $30Review prompt: Which affirmative action authorises “Accessory restored”, and where is the resulting price, product or recurring state shown before commitment?
Neutral alternative
- The shopper’s removal persists through recalculation.Fairer design: Persist removal across all cart updates and require a new deliberate add action before restoring an accessory.
- Payable total and selected items, expanded: The summary shows the line items and total before “Add cable bundle $30” is activated.Review prompt: Compare the basket before and after the action, including total and line items; does the mutation satisfy “No preceding deliberate action specifically selected that item or quantity”?
Review questions (3)
- Which affirmative action authorises “Accessory restored”, and where is the resulting price, product or recurring state shown before commitment?
- Compare the basket before and after the action, including total and line items; does the mutation satisfy “No preceding deliberate action specifically selected that item or quantity”?
- Which specific affirmative event creates the final commercial state, and could “user-selected bundle whose included items were clearly disclosed” explain the observed outcome instead?
Complete practice context
How this example relates to Sneak into basket
A paid or consequential item is added to a basket or transaction without a clear, deliberate and specific user choice. This is a design and research taxonomy for learning and evidence review, not a statutory offence label or an automatic finding that an interface is unlawful.
The full guide explains inclusion and exclusion criteria, potential harms, fairer design, evidence questions and separate Australian legal information layers. The example page isolates one scenario so it can be shared and discussed without reproducing the complete library on one page.
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Sources and provenance for this example
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