Consumer manipulation practices are rife on many online retail sites - from textiles to electronics - according to the results of a survey published on Monday 30 January by the European Commission, as part of a coordinated screening (‘sweep’) of retail websites by the network of national consumer protection authorities (CPCs) and the Commission.
The ‘sweep’ of online sites focused on three manipulative practices, which are often found to lead consumers to make choices that may not be in their best interests -the so-called “dark patterns”.
Out of 399 online shops examined, 148 contained at least one of these three dark patterns.
For example, two websites used fake countdown timers with deadlines for the purchase of specific products;
54 directed consumers towards certain choices - from subscriptions to more expensive products or delivery options - either through their visual design or choice of language;
70 websites were found to be hiding important information or making it less visible to consumers, this included, for example, information related to delivery costs, the composition of products, or on the availability of a cheaper option. 23 of these websites were hiding information with the aim of manipulating consumers into entering into a subscription.
The sweep also included the apps of 102 of the websites screened. It revealed that 27 of them also deployed at least one of the three categories of dark patterns.
The national authorities will now contact the operators concerned to invite them to bring their websites into compliance. If necessary, they will take additional measures in accordance with their national procedures.
In addition, the Commission will also contact online traders identified in a 2022 study on unfair commercial practices in the digital environment to ask them to rectify the problems identified in this sweep. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)