‘Dark patterns’ are steering many Internet users into making bad decisions

A European study last year found that Facebook and Google are masters of steering people into making choices that aren’t in their best interest. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Even if you’ve never heard the phrase “dark patterns”, you’re almost certainly familiar with them. They’re the sneaky ways online companies trick you into agreeing to stuff you’d normally never assent to. 

Classic example: You encounter a prompt asking if you want to sign up for some program or service, and the box is already checked. If you don’t uncheck it – that is, if you do nothing – you’re enrolled.