Dark Patterns Symbiosis Bright Patterns
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Forced Communication or Disclosure

Forced Communication or Disclosure subverts the user’s expectation that a system will only request information needed to complete their desired goals, instead tricking them into sharing more information about themselves or using their information for purposes that they do not desire.
Forced Communication or Disclosure
Illustration

Interaction Contexts

  • consent
  • privacy

Harmed Goals

  • privacy
  • control

Symbiosis

Bright alternatives to this dark pattern

  • Unambiguous Choices
    Design options with simple, clear language so users know exactly what each action will do.
    View pair →
  • Data Minimization
    Minimizes data collection to only what is necessary with explicit user consent.
    View pair →

Examples

Selfmade Example

Multiple preselected datasharing options are adverticed with great benefits, that are likely false
Multiple preselected datasharing options are adverticed with great benefits, that are likely false

Sources

Dark Pattern Ontology adapted from Gray et al. (CHI ’24)

Direct
Inferred

Pattern Levels

High-Level Patterns Strategy Domain & Context Diagnostic (abstract)

High-level patterns include general strategies that can be employed through a range of modalities and technologies and application types

Meso-Level Patterns Angle of Attack Domain & Context Diagnostic (interpretable)

Meso-level patterns describe a context-agnostic angle of attack and may be interpreted in relation to context based on the specific modality or application type

Low-Level Patterns Means of Execution Domain & Context Specific (situated)

Low-level patterns are situated and contextually dependent, including specific means of execution

Diagram: High (strategy, diagnostic), Meso (angle of attack, still diagnostic), Low (means of execution, context specific). Integrated textual descriptions appear within each layer.

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Paul Bertram 2026
Impressum Datenschutz

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Sources

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Pattern Levels

High-Level Patterns Strategy Domain & Context Diagnostic (abstract)

High-level patterns include general strategies that can be employed through a range of modalities and technologies and application types

Meso-Level Patterns Angle of Attack Domain & Context Diagnostic (interpretable)

Meso-level patterns describe a context-agnostic angle of attack and may be interpreted in relation to context based on the specific modality or application type

Low-Level Patterns Means of Execution Domain & Context Specific (situated)

Low-level patterns are situated and contextually dependent, including specific means of execution

Diagram: High (strategy, diagnostic), Meso (angle of attack, still diagnostic), Low (means of execution, context specific). Integrated textual descriptions appear within each layer.