Dark Patterns In The Media: A Systematic Review

This paper addresses the topic of dark patterns used in the design of various web products or services. Dark patterns are deceptive elements that are intentionally crafted to make the users do actions that they wouldn’t do otherwise. Those techniques are used for the benefit of various stakeholders and are included in web products that are used world-wide, such as social media platforms, some popular apps or web services. The concept is well known among practitioners. However, a few studies on this topic have been done and in order to gain awareness about it some more academic research is needed. The main purpose of this study is o investigate if there is some consent about the topic of dark patterns among the digital media resources. This study is of descriptive nature. A systematic review approach is used, analyzing over 30 original digital media sources that addresses this topic. This paper is not about criticizing, it’s about continuing an ongoing discussion about the users’ rights and the values of web products creators with the purpose of minimizing malicious techniques towards users. This study contributes to the broadening of the research on dark patterns. It also contributes to the understanding of those techniques in an effort to minimize them. Results can be used for developing frameworks for future research.