Try your best to make informed decisions before buying things this Black Friday (Picture: Getty Images)
It’s almost that time of year again folks… Black Friday is nearing and as such retailers are launching tempting sales and deals to mark the occasion.
Many people will likely be doing their research, preparing to snap up the best bargains – but those who aren’t after anything specific might find themselves spending money they hadn’t planned to, and buying things they didn’t really need.
This could be due to what is known in the online shopping industry as ‘dark patterns’, which are sneaky tactics companies use online to drive sales.
At one point or another, you’ve likely fallen for one of these tricks. But thankfully experts have shed light on some of the most common ones, so you know when a site is trying to ‘manipulate’ you.
Have you noticed ‘dark patterns’ when shopping online? (Picture: Getty Images)
According to The DPO Centre (Data Protection Officers), dark patterns are clever design tricks used on websites and apps to subtly manipulate your choices.
‘They might make you think a product is about to sell out, or rush you with a countdown timer that creates a false sense of urgency,’ the experts explain.
‘The goal is simple: to get you to buy something, sign up for a service, or give away your personal information without having the proper time to consider what you’re doing.’
Examples of these tricks include text displayed near an item’s price which says something like ‘only two left in stock’. Alternatively it might say ‘hurry, offer ends in two minutes’.
This messaging is often designed to make shoppers believe they have to act fast to avoid missing out, even when there is no rush.
Black Friday will see lots of people shopping online to nab bargains (Picture: Getty Images)
But it’s not just obvious signs like these that you have to keep an eye out for.
You might find yourself hit with unexpected charges if you don’t read the full small print for purchases and subscriptions online, as sometimes the total cost can be buried in lengthy terms and conditions, or hidden elsewhere on a website.
And things can get even trickier if you try and cancel a service you no longer want to pay for, with some sites requiring customers to jump through various hoops to end a subscription.
The upside is that in the UK there are strict laws in place to protect consumers from these kinds of tricks. The UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) aims to stop businesses from misleading or pressuring consumers online.
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How to protect yourself when shopping online
If you’re keen to make informed decisions when shopping online and avoid falling for dark patterns, the team at The DPO Centre have shared a few top tips for protecting yourself:
Read everything carefully before clicking on anything, so you know what you’re agreeing to. If a deal seems …read more
Source:: Metro
