Seoul:South Korea's fair trade watchdog has introduced new guidelines aimed at online platforms to prevent "dark patterns," which are deceptive practices that complicate the process of canceling subscriptions or lead users to make irrational purchases.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has updated its existing guidance to offer detailed examples of these violations, assisting platform operators in adhering to the regulations.
Dark patterns involve tactics that trick consumers into making payments or signing up for services without a clear understanding of the agreements. Such tactics include enrolling consumers in monthly subscription services without their knowledge or making the cancellation process difficult.
The guidelines recommend that platform operators place cancellation links in easily accessible areas, like the website's homepage or within sections such as "My Account," instead of hiding them in less intuitive locations like "Security Settings."
Additionally, the FTC advises against automatically selecting options for consumers during the ordering process unless explicitly chosen by the user.
"The guidelines will help consumers avoid harm caused by practices that interfere with informed decision-making or by misleading online interfaces," the FTC stated. They also emphasized their commitment to monitoring new types of consumer harm arising from the evolving online transaction environment and improving relevant policies while enforcing strict actions against violations.
Although the guidelines are not legally binding, the FTC highlights that platform operators must still comply with the Act on the Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce.