Request for comments regarding topics to be discussed at Dark Patterns workshop (regulations.gov)

Article summary

The article appears to be about a workshop on dark patterns, with a request for comments on topics to be discussed. The details of the article are not available, but the comments suggest that dark patterns include practices such as forcing users to use a specific app or browser. The discussion focuses on examples of dark patterns and their impact on users. The goal of the workshop is not explicitly stated, but it seems to be related to addressing and preventing dark patterns.

Main themes

• dark patterns
• user experience
• browser settings
• app vs browser
• user privacy
• company practices

What commenters say

• Some commenters argue that social media platforms holding the browser hostage is a significant dark pattern that prevents users from having a first-class experience on websites.
• Others believe that forcing users to use a specific app or browser is a regrettable practice that should be eliminated.
• There is disagreement on whether certain companies, such as Microsoft and Apple, are more guilty of ignoring or overwriting user settings than others.
• Some commenters think that companies are acting in their own interests rather than the users' best interests when they engage in dark patterns.
• The use of in-app browsers that do not support content blockers is seen as a particularly problematic dark pattern.
• Some argue that companies should respect users' default browser settings and not override them.
• Others point out that some companies, such as Google, provide settings to change the default browser, but these settings may not always work as intended.
• There is a sense of frustration among commenters that companies are not taking user preferences and privacy seriously enough.