The UK has now stepped in regarding online marketing and selling to try and eliminate deceptive practices. Previously rented ‘Dark UX’, it’s becoming known more clearly as ‘Deceptive UX’ and rules are emerging in countries across the globe. India, which is a major player or rules in place about a year ago. When will the USA follow suit? That’s a big question given that many of these practices came from their marketing companies!

Instead of using deceptive patterns, businesses should be as forthright as possible, engendering trust. How can a consumer start a trust relationship with a business that has coerced or tricked them? Products and services need to be sold on genuine benefit. I would like to see the day when sex, power and power are not used to motivate buyers!

Whatever legislation is passed, it will affect the platforms that a plethora of small business use, for they contain meant processes and components that leverage these techniques. There will need to be changes in that platforms and businesses will need to revisit their marketing and sales processes to be more forthright!