Visual Examples of Dark Patterns from FTC Cases

Burdensome Cancellation: ABCmouse.com required users to go through a lengthy path to cancel accounts, beginning with this page. Nowhere on the page does the word “Cancellation” appear. (From FTC v. Age of Learning, Inc., No. 2:20-cv-7996, ECF No. 1 (C.D. Call. Sept. 1, 2020).)

Disparate Visual Options: The full terms of AH Media’s service were presented in a small, gray font against a white background. (From FTC v. AH Media, LLC, No. 19-cv-04022-JD, ECF No. 74 (N.D. Cal. Oct. 23, 2019).)

Omissions: The PC Health Check Program would always state that scan results found malware on the user’s PC, urging the purchase of Office Max’s security services. (From FTC v. Office Depot, Inc., No. 9:19-cv-80431, ECF No. 1 (S.D. Fla. Mar. 27, 2019).)