LinkedIn: Training AI on your content
Data, AI, consent. We’ve hit a point where more and more companies use your content to enrich themselves, often without asking first.
Dark Patterns
Protect your online privacy and rights by learning about dark patterns and unethical designs. Stay informed and avoid manipulation in the digital world.
Latest posts
Figma: How to opt out of AI features?
In early 2025, Figma rolled out AI features that came with a surprise: the company had automatically opted all users in to have their design files used for AI training.
Mailchimp: Sign-up process
Mailchimp's sign-up process uses a common deceptive tactic known as the "Trick Question".
HRAcuity: Unnecessary cookie wall
The HRAcuity website uses a dark pattern by forcing users to accept cookies in order to access a video.
Amazon: How to cancel Audible subscription?
The process follow some of the classic patterns out of dark patterns book designed to complicate the process.
Phosus: Pre-selected newsletter updates
At first glance, this sign-up screen may look straightforward, but it uses a subtle dark pattern known as "pre-selection" to automatically opt users in to receive marketing emails.
Groww: Checkbox preselection for credit score check
The app offers a “pre-approved” loan with a “Get started” button, but a pre-checked box below quietly grants permission to check your credit score.
LinkedIn: How to cancel LinkedIn Premium subscription?
Canceling a subscription should be simple. But often, it’s not. The user experience design that promises ease and transparency can sometimes serve other purposes, like making it harder to cancel a service.
StubHub: Dark patterns in event ticket sales
In August 2024, the Washington, D.C. attorney general filed a lawsuit accusing StubHub of deceptive practices.
X: Your data - our data
X recently introduced a new setting that allows them to use the content you posts to train their AI, Grok.
Reddit: See Reddit in...
Reddit's persistent push for users to download its app, despite clear signs of disinterest, is an example of a classic dark pattern known as "nagging."
TikTok: Nagging dark patterns
Despite repeatedly declining access to notifications and contacts, TikTok persistently asks for these permissions.
TradingView: Emotional subscription cancellation
The cancellation process of TradingView is a great example of how companies manipulate users' emotions when cancelling their subscriptions.
DoorDash: How to cancel DashPass subscription?
DoorDash DashPass subscription cancellation process. These steps reveal several dark patterns designed to make you think twice about cancelling.
HelloFresh: How to cancel HelloFresh subscription?
The Roach Motel is a common dark pattern used to trick people into subscription. HelloFresh uses this strategy to lower their cancellation rates.