The title says UK, but the article says it's for the entire EU.
It's an EU directive which has recently been enacted into law in the UK. Sorry, we should have made that clearer in the interview text.
Some Dark Patterns Now Illegal in UK
11–20 of 267 posts
Re: Some Dark Patterns Now Illegal in UK
#12Financial services are exempt under the Directive
Great. Let's take all the downside of heavy regulation but give up most of the upside.
Re: Some Dark Patterns Now Illegal in UK
#13I wonder what effect this will have on ryanair ticket prices? As I understand it the tickets themselves are not profitable, it's the extras.
Honestly I hope they will finally have to label them correctly.
When I booked flights to Dublin recently, I felt being cheated on even though I checked everything twice and googled some. The insurance trick is among the worst practices I had to encounter personally.
I'd prefer to have the official prices being hones even if they are somewhat higher. Their business model of offering only the minimal thing should work nevertheless and laws like that does not forbid them to offer extras which many people would choose nevertheless.
Re: Some Dark Patterns Now Illegal in UK
#14I wonder why there seem to be no companies that use "not being cheating bastards" as a marketing advantage. I'd gladly pay more to buy from a shop that emphasizes transparency and fairness.
Huh? There are loads. I can think of several companies that I buy things from because I know I won't get messed with even if the headline price might appear a little higher than their competitors (think EasyJet v.s. RyanAir).
Re: Some Dark Patterns Now Illegal in UK
#15I wonder what effect this will have on ryanair ticket prices? As I understand it the tickets themselves are not profitable, it's the extras.
A lot of extras are sold on the plane or at checkin (like 60EUR for a boarding pass)
That's why I never fly with them. Too much BS to waddle through.
Re: Some Dark Patterns Now Illegal in UK
#16"A failure to comply cancels the transaction. You can get your money back and keep the goods. If the sale was for a service or a digital download, the contract is cancelled and no further payments are due." I would think that, under contract law, you get your money back and you return the goods - that would be cancelling the transaction. Likewise for digital downloads or services. Can anyone explain why the provider…
Because that could create a situation where the seller can put a burden on you. (arcane rules on how to return goods, trying to get shipment expenses from you, etc.)
Re: Some Dark Patterns Now Illegal in UK
#17The worst one I had was Vistaprint. I bought some business cards then found a mysterious £9.99/month charge disappearing from my credit card which turned out to be for some discount club they'd signed my up for in the small print without me being aware. Bastards! I never did get that back. Hopefully the new laws should help stop that.
Re: Some Dark Patterns Now Illegal in UK
#18Oy. That was legal? It seems that I have been cross-border shopping a bit too carelessly.
I know that the English Newspapers will manage to put an anti-EU spin on this, but cross-border e-commerce has to become easier. From regulation to shipping cost, there are a lot of things that need to be harmonized.
Re: Some Dark Patterns Now Illegal in UK
#19> As a part of that, retailer fees and surcharges must be brought out into the open and explained. Retailers can no longer charge “processing fees” in excess of what it actually costs them.
Does that mean charging me to print out my own ticket is now illegal?
Because it certainly doesn't cost 2 quid to generate a pdf.
Re: Some Dark Patterns Now Illegal in UK
#20Financial services are exempt under the Directive Great. Let's take all the downside of heavy regulation but give up most of the upside.
If I, as a consumer from continental Europe, can't be subject to what is essentially a rippoff by UK online shops any more, then it is a win. It even makes it easier for UK online shops to be compliant with consumer protection laws within the rest of Europe.
I fail to see the downside.