How to recognize it in the interface
01
The delete option is buried.
02
More steps to cancel than to sign up.
Not this pattern: one confirmation step before deleting, with a clear way to finish.
Same moment, different copy (illustrative example)
Before
“Are you sure? You’ll lose all your benefits.” (step 1 of 5)
Shows the pattern
After
“Your membership ends on 30 October. Cancel now?” (one step)
The fair alternative
Design guideline
Leaving is as easy as joining.
Do
Leaving is as easy as joining.
Don’t
Don’t make leaving harder than joining.
Sources
01
US Federal Trade Commission, 2022. Bringing Dark Patterns to Light. Staff report. ftc.gov ↗
02
European Union, 2022. Digital Services Act, Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, Article 25 (online interface design and organisation). eur-lex.europa.eu ↗
03
Gray et al., 2018. The Dark (Patterns) Side of UX Design. CHI 2018. doi.org ↗
04
De Freitas, Oguz-Uguralp and Kaan-Uguralp, 2025. Emotional Manipulation by AI Companions. Harvard Business School working paper. arXiv:2508.19258 ↗