Manipulation in e-commerce

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) actively participates in global reviews of websites and mobile applications looking for manipulative sales practices known as "dark patterns." This year's edition, conducted by the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN), revealed that over 75% of nearly 700 websites examined employed at least one such scheme.

The Most Common Unfair Practices: Pre-Selection and Social Proof

The analysis conducted by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) covered 10 websites, half of which used at least one prohibited technique. The most frequently detected were pre-selection, where the system automatically selects the most expensive option, and "most frequently chosen" annotations, which can mislead consumers by suggesting the popularity of a given offer.

What exactly are dark patterns?

Dark patterns are manipulative techniques designed to influence consumer decisions. Here are some examples:

• Forced continuation : Automatically renewing your subscription without any clear notice or making the cancellation process difficult.
• Difficulty canceling : Making it difficult for users to cancel their existing services.
• False Product Scarcity or Promotion Duration : Creating an artificial sense of urgency or scarcity to induce consumers to purchase quickly.

Such practices can not only damage a company's reputation but are also illegal and may expose the company to sanctions from regulatory authorities such as the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK). It is crucial that e-commerce companies operate transparently and honestly, avoid manipulative sales methods, and focus on providing valuable, authentic shopping experiences for their customers.

International Cooperation and the Role of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection

The President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) emphasizes that effective consumer protection in the age of globalization requires close international cooperation. For many years, the UOKiK has been committed to developing this cooperation, striving to develop universal standards of consumer protection and combating harmful practices in e-commerce.

Using Artificial Intelligence to Fight Dark Patterns

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) is implementing the project "Detecting and Combating Dark Patterns Using Artificial Intelligence ," which aims to create an AI-based tool for automatically detecting illegal practices on websites. Additionally, the project resulted in the development of a White Paper presenting how technology can safely and effectively support consumer protection.

Global Challenges and Cooperation

The globalization of e-commerce presents consumer protection authorities with new challenges that require international cooperation. Initiatives such as ICPEN, which the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has been a member of for 30 years, and GPEN demonstrate the importance of international coordination. Both networks focus on improving privacy protection and consumer rights through joint activities, such as reports and reviews of sales practices worldwide. Only through global cooperation can practices that violate consumer rights be effectively combated.