Exploring Ethical Dilemmas in Tech: A Closer Look at Dark UX Patterns
In the field of technology, computing professionals regularly encounter ethical dilemmas that require careful consideration guided by clear ethical principles. One particularly troubling issue is the use of dark UX patterns—design strategies intentionally crafted to mislead or manipulate users for financial benefit.
Luguri and Strahilevitz (2020) define dark patterns as user interfaces designed to deliberately confuse users, obstruct their genuine preferences, or subtly pressure them into specific actions. In Mexico, my home country, a common example can be observed in ATMs, where users are subtly coerced into making donations or accepting unwanted offers. This practice is not merely ethically questionable; it can also significantly impact users’ finances.
Both the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Code of Ethics and the British Computer Society (BCS) Code of Conduct underscore integrity as an essential principle for computing professionals. Integrity involves honesty and maintaining ethical standards in all professional activities. Clearly, employing dark UX patterns for financial gain violates this principle by betraying user trust and damaging the credibility of both professionals and their organisations.
Moreover, these ethical codes emphasise the necessity of prioritising the public interest and the welfare of society. Computing professionals must place user well-being above short-term financial objectives, avoiding practices that compromise user experiences or discriminate, such as design choices that disadvantage visually impaired individuals. Vistisen and Jensen (2013) highlight that effective design should stem from empathy, achieved by genuinely understanding and addressing the needs of specific user groups during the design process.
Using dark UX patterns not only raises significant ethical concerns but can also expose organisations to legal repercussions, particularly in regions with strong consumer protection frameworks. Thus, computing professionals must diligently ensure their actions conform to both ethical guidelines and legal regulations to maintain trust and accountability in their profession.
In conclusion, maintaining integrity, prioritising public welfare, and adhering to ethical and legal standards are fundamental for fostering trust and enhancing user experiences in the digital age. Computing professionals who align their practices with these fundamental principles will significantly contribute to creating a more responsible, transparent, and ethically sound technological environment. Furthermore, by actively resisting the implementation of manipulative design strategies and advocating for user-centred design, professionals can help reshape industry norms. This commitment to ethical practice not only builds long-term trust among users but also ensures that technological advancement benefits society as a whole. As technology continues to evolve, the ethical choices made today will shape the digital experiences and societal expectations of tomorrow.
References:
Almeida, F. and Monteiro, J.A. (2021). Exploring the Effects of GDPR on the User Experience. Journal of Information Systems Engineering and Management, 6(3), p.em0140. doi:https://doi.org/10.21601/jisem/10957.
Association of Computing Machinery (2018). Case: Dark UX Patterns. [online] ACM Ethics. Available at: https://shorturl.at/anBC8 [Accessed 18 Mar. 2024].
BCS (2019). BCS Code of Conduct. [online] Bcs.org. Available at: https://shorturl.at/hryzU [Accessed 18 Mar. 2024].
Luguri, J. and Strahilevitz, L.J. (2020). Shining a Light on Dark Patterns. Journal of Legal Analysis, 13(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/jla/laaa006.
Vistisen, P. and Jensen, T. (2013). The Ethics of User Experience Design: Discussed by the Terms of Apathy, Sympathy, and Empathy. [online] vbn.aau.dk. Available at: https://shorturl.at/douwP [Accessed 25 Mar. 2024].