Author: Katelyn Mirabelli

Katelyn Mirabelli is an MS Information Experience Design candidate at Pratt Institute.

UX Dark Patterns and Ethical Design

One area that has recently been in debate in regard to regulation are UX ‘Dark Patterns.’ In thispaper I will review what dark patterns are, why they exist, attempts and proposals for
regulation such as the recent DETOUR Act, and what regulatory methods may be employed in
the process. I will consider leadership in tech and the workforce with a focus on exploring how
designers might also include ethical evaluations in their process since the line must finally be
drawn between commercialism and infringement on user rights.