Now that I have your attention, please read it thorough. It is a 5 minutes read and you may want to “do more” by the time you finish reading this post.
Let's make the “Platform’ed” community even stronger! Feel free to post it on your social media accounts too, and inspire others to join our journey. Together, we can go the distance!
DTW
During the Week, a deep fake video of Ratan Tata giving investment advice surfaced on Instagram.
Earlier on Tuesday, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar reviewed progress made by social media platforms in tackling misinformation and deepfakes. This seems to be an issue which has hit social media platforms and given them another headache to handle but many digital platform themselves are guilty of using DARK Patterns to harm consumer interest.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued comprehensive guidelines on November 30, 2023, to prevent and regulate dark patterns on online platforms providing goods and services in India. Following the Department of Consumer Affairs' (DoCA) release of draft guidelines in September 2023, the final document identifies 13 types of dark patterns, an increase from the initial 10 outlined in the draft. This step reinforces efforts to safeguard consumers by addressing deceptive practices on digital platforms through a transparent and regulated framework.
I have tried to categorise the banned dark patterns into four groups corresponding to D - Deceptive Tactics:; A - Aggressive Persuasion ; R - Ruthless Subscription Practices; K - Knowledge Distortion aka DARK
If you want to read in more details, you can read multiple reports including the following.
https://inc42.com/buzz/govt-issues-list-of-13-dark-patterns-plaguing-ecommerce-websites/
Let us go over the DARK acronym quickly.
D - Deceptive Tactics- Strategically misleading users, often involving false urgency or hidden costs, impacting their decision-making on digital platforms.
False Urgency: Creating a fake sense of urgency to prompt immediate actions.
Basket Sneaking: Including additional items at checkout without user consent.
Confirm Shaming: Using fear or guilt to manipulate user decisions.
A - Aggressive Persuasion: Design elements in UX/UI that manipulate interfaces, emphasizing specific information while obscuring relevant details, misdirecting user actions.
Forced Action: Compelling users to take actions for unrelated services.
Subscription Trap: Making cancellation complex and hiding options.
Interface Interference: Manipulating UI to highlight certain info and obscure relevant details.
R - Ruthless Subscription Practices: Exploitative tactics making subscription cancellation complex. Ambiguous instructions, hidden options, and forced authorizations, trapping users in recurring payments.
Bait and Switch: Deceptively serving alternate outcomes based on user actions.
Drip Pricing: Hiding prices until post-confirmation or in-app purchases.
Disguised Advertisement: Masking ads as user-generated content or news.
K - Knowledge Distortion: Deliberate use of vague language, confusing wording, or trick questions to misguide users. Distorting information to manipulate actions and choices.
Nagging: Annoying users with persistent interactions to drive transactions.
Trick Question: Using confusing language to misguide user actions.
SaaS Billing: Exploiting positive acquisition loops in recurring subscriptions.
Rogue Malwares: Using scareware to mislead users for financial gains.
In conclusion, combating DARK patterns on digital platforms demands vigilant oversight. Deceptive Tactics manipulate urgency and user choices, Aggressive Persuasion coerces actions for commercial gains, Ruthless Subscription Practices ensnare users into complex commitments, and Knowledge Distortion distorts information to mislead. Safeguarding user trust requires robust regulations, transparent design ethics, and user education to recognize and resist these patterns. As technology advances, collaborative efforts from regulators, platforms, and users are crucial to ensure fair, ethical, and transparent digital interactions, fostering an environment where users can engage without falling victim to manipulative tactics.
OTW
Over the Weekend, I was part of National Level Workshop on ‘Tackling Harms of Digital Tech on Environment and Climate in India’ at Muffakham Jah College of Engineering & Technology (MJCET). This workshop was jointly organized by the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), and the Council for Social & Digital Development (CSDD), with the support of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), with a primary focus on finding a balance between digital needs and rights with environmental rights and justice.
I facilitated a case study based session on Sustainable Digital Practices in India focusing on
Emerging Technologies, Approaches, Strategies for Environmental Sustainability
Building a Roadmap for Green Innovation
We used a hypothetical case study about RecykledPower, a pioneer in sustainable battery refurbishment, which faces a dilemma with a crucial client supplying battery-powered lamps to street vendors. The dilemma lies in meeting the operational demands of the client for increased efficiency through digital solutions while avoiding compromises that could negatively impact RecykledPower's commitment to eco-friendly practices. The enthusiastic participants engaged in individual preparation, team activity, a short visit to the digital devices flea market and concluded with an investor call role play.
Two dark patterns related to Digital Circular Economy emerged during my interactions over the course of workshop- First, Power consumption in computing is increasing especially in AI based applications and smart devices; Second, e-waste recycling in the informal sector is leading to extraordinary environmental damage through inefficient extractions methods and indiscriminate disposal of hazardous waste after the so-called “recycling“.
Overall, it was an awesome experience and I am planning to add a module on “Digital Transformation of Sustainability Sector” in my proposed new elective on “Managing Digital Transformation“. Do read the OTM section if you would like to contribute to the MDT course.
I Love You
Shailendra
OTM
Opportunities through MountainSpeak invites you to contribute in the development of a new elective on Managing Digital Transformation for MBA Second Year Students at IBS Hyderabad.
This elective has Two Key Objectives:
Comprehensive Understanding: Develop an intricate comprehension of digital transformation in various industry verticals and its far-reaching implications for organisations and society.
Industry-Specific Exploration: Investigate challenges and opportunities unique to various sectors, fostering critical thinking for informed strategic decisions..
Following is a brief outline of the proposed course. I would request you to give your feedback on the course outline and if you are an expert in any of the domains, please get in touch. We would like to explore involving Industry experts in every module to make our students industry ready on Day One.
Module 1- Foundation of Digital Transformation-
Define the concept of digital transformation and its significance in modern organizations.
Identify and evaluate the critical digital transformation drivers and challenges.
Module 2-Digital Transformation of Financial Services Sector-
Analyze the impact of digital technologies on the financial services sector, including banking, insurance, and investment.
Module 3-Digital Transformation of Consumer Goods and Retail Sector-
Examine the disruptive influence of digital technologies on consumer behaviour and retail business models.
Analyse the impact of digital transformation on the customer experience in the retail and consumer goods industry, including personalisation, omni-channel integration, and enhancing customer engagement.
Module 4-Digital Transformation of Healthcare Sector-
Understand the digital transformation initiatives in the healthcare sector and their impact on patient care and healthcare delivery.
Evaluate the role of telemedicine, AI, and data analytics in healthcare transformation.
Module 5-Digital Transformation of the Information, Media, and Entertainment Sector-
Evaluate the impact of digital technologies on the media and entertainment industry, including content creation, distribution, and consumer engagement.
Module 6-Digital Transformation of Manufacturing and Logistics Sector-
Assess the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies, such as automation, IoT, and supply chain digitization, on manufacturing and logistics operations.
Module 7-Digital Transformation of Energy and Utilities Sector-
Examine the digital disruptions in the energy and utilities industry, including adopting renewable energy, smart grids, and energy management systems.
Module 8-Digital Transformation of Public Goods and Services
Evaluate the role of digital technologies in transforming public goods and services, including governance, service delivery, and citizen engagement.
Develop strategies for effective and inclusive digital transformation in the public sector.
Module 9-Digital Transformation of Sustainability Solutions
Gain a deep understanding of how digital transformation acts as an enabler for sustainability initiatives.
Explore the integration of emerging technologies, data analytics, and IoT in fostering sustainable practices within organizations.
Formulate practical digital solutions that contribute to environmental conservation, resource efficiency, and overall sustainability.
Thanks for reading till the end. Congratulations. Let us get in touch.