Bait and switch
Download control opens an unrelated installer
A fictional account page labels a prominent control “Download document”, but it launches an optional browser-extension installer instead.
Example group · 10 comparisons
Sneaking interface examples
Hides, disguises or delays material consequences so that the user takes an action they may otherwise reject.
Select one example to inspect the complete problematic and neutral HTML interfaces. These fictional comparisons support learning and review. The group name is not an EU legal category, and visual similarity alone establishes no infringement.
Open this example
Bait and switch
Selected basic fare changes at confirmation
A fictional booking flow records a basic fare selection but the final action purchases a premium flexible fare without a new price-and-product confirmation.
Drip pricing and hidden charges
Mandatory service fee revealed after payment details
A fictional booking site shows a €40 ticket through search and selection but adds a compulsory €9 service fee only after card details are entered.
Drip pricing and hidden charges
Resort fee appears after room selection
A fictional hotel result advertises €120 per night while a compulsory €28 nightly facility fee appears only in the final booking summary.
Hidden subscription or forced continuity
Free trial converts to an annual charge
A fictional fitness app promotes seven free days but places the €240 annual conversion, date and cancellation route only inside a remote terms link.
Hidden subscription or forced continuity
One-off sample silently creates monthly deliveries
A fictional shop sells a €5 sample kit but treats the order as agreement to a €45 monthly delivery without naming a subscription beside the purchase button.
Negative option or unauthorised transaction
Silence treated as renewal approval
A fictional service states that failing to reply to an email will be treated as approval for a new paid add-on at renewal.
Negative option or unauthorised transaction
Broken opt-out still results in a charge
A fictional trial email provides an opt-out link that returns an error, then charges the customer because the failed request is recorded as no response.
Sneak into basket
Donation added without a deliberate choice
A fictional grocery service inserts a €2 charity donation into the basket when the shopper chooses a delivery slot, without showing a selection control.
Sneak into basket
Removed accessory returns after cart refresh
A fictional store adds a cable bundle to a laptop order, lets the shopper remove it, then silently restores it when the delivery postcode changes.
Sources used across this example group
Evidence base
Sources
- Dark commercial patternsOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development · Secondary · checked 2026-09-14 · OECD Digital Economy Papers No. 336
- Unfair Commercial Practices DirectiveEuropean Parliament and Council of the European Union · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Directive 2005/29/EC; CELEX 02005L0029-20220528
- Consumer Rights DirectiveEuropean Parliament and Council of the European Union · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Directive 2011/83/EU; CELEX 02011L0083-20220528
- Digital Fairness Act: call for evidence for an impact assessmentEuropean Commission · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Initiative 14622; Ares(2025)6275573
- An Ontology of Dark Patterns KnowledgeGray et al.; ACM CHI 2024 · Secondary · checked 2026-09-14 · DOI 10.1145/3613904.3642436; arXiv:2309.09640