Design choices are under 2025 scrutiny from US, UK and EU regulators.. Learn how to communicate fixes fast and align UX with current enforcement expectations..
As of mid‑July 2025 in the United States, what is the status of the FTC’s ‘click‑to‑cancel’ Negative Option Rule?
Delayed to September 2025 but otherwise unchanged
In force nationwide as originally scheduled
Limited to online subscriptions only
Vacated by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
After the rule’s vacatur, which enforcement risk remains for ‘dark pattern’ subscription flows in 2025?
Enforcement applies only to negative options in print channels
Only state AGs can act until the rule is re‑issued
No federal oversight applies to subscriptions
FTC actions under existing deception and unfairness authority still apply
Under the UK’s 2025 CMA guidance (DMCC Act), which design is explicitly high‑risk?
Accessible complaint link on the homepage
Clear total price shown upfront
‘Drip pricing’ that hides mandatory fees until checkout
Neutral unsubscribe button next to ‘keep subscription’
What EU initiative under consultation in 2025 targets dark patterns more directly?
A new GDPR 2.0 regulation
The Platform Liability Directive
The ePrivacy Regulation replacement
The proposed Digital Fairness Act
Which transparency feature has been highlighted in EU consumer protection updates alongside action against dark patterns?
A ‘withdrawal button’ to streamline exercising rights
Mandatory dark mode in all apps
A pop‑up for every price change regardless of size
Compulsory voice interfaces for consent
For crisis messaging during dark‑pattern allegations in 2025, which remediation aligns with regulator expectations?
Add more disclosures without altering the flow
Make cancellation at least as easy as sign‑up and publish a clear, immediate fix
Require chat or a phone call to verify identity
Pause cancellations until investigations conclude
What term do UK regulators increasingly use for manipulative interfaces that steer choices in 2025?
Adaptive personalization
Consent shading
Behavioural telemetry
Harmful online choice architecture
Status check in early 2025: what did the UK CMA do regarding unfair commercial practices guidance under the DMCC Act?
Abandoned guidance pending EU action
Transferred enforcement to local councils only
Consulted on draft guidance and published updates summarizing responses
Issued criminal penalties for all dark patterns immediately
In EU policy debates of 2025, what is one recommended way forward on dark patterns besides new laws?
Allow pre‑ticked boxes for convenience
Replace consent with inferred preferences
Exempt large platforms from consumer rules to reduce complexity
Prioritize consistent enforcement across existing rules
Timeline awareness: what happened between May and July 2025 to the FTC’s updated Negative Option Rule?
Compliance deadline was deferred, then the rule was vacated
It took effect fully nationwide without challenge
It was narrowed to cable and telecom providers only
It was replaced by a congressional statute in June
Starter
Tidy your flows and disclosures; symmetry beats friction.
Solid
Harden UX against harmful choice architecture and announce fixes.
Expert!
Proactive transparency, friction‑free flows, and clear user remedies.
