Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Main Page

2025-08-16T17:05:34Z

Socks: /* Addition of NOYB.eu to the Consumer Tools section */ new section

==Looking good==

Looks like we are doing alright so far with this page; lol... people go ahead of me - [[User:Atsumari|Atsumari]] ([[User talk:Atsumari|talk]]) 02:51, 1 February 2025 (UTC)

==Can we categorize this?==

Just to clean up [[Special:UncategorizedPages]]. I suggest putting this page under [[:Category:CAT]]. [[User:Waldo|Waldo]] ([[User talk:Waldo|talk]]) 08:07, 20 January 2025 (UTC)

Moved this into the CAT category so it isn't eaten by special pages as requested; looks like it may have already been in the root namespace but just for clarity sake until we build a full on mainpage. Thanks for the catch <3 - [[User:Atsumari|Atsumari]] ([[User talk:Atsumari|talk]]) 11:36, 25 January 2025 (UTC)

==Anonymization of non-logged in user IPs==

I would like to request that users who make edits without user accounts do not have their full IP published in the edit log.

:I made a suggestion on the Discord server on your behalf. [[User:Waldo|Waldo]] ([[User talk:Waldo|talk]]) 10:44, 7 February 2025 (UTC)

:For that there is an extension called AnonPrivacy https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:AnonPrivacy [[User:Fen|Fen]] ([[User talk:Fen|talk]]) 22:02, 15 July 2025 (UTC)
::Greetings, I made the suggestion to the team on your behalf. At the momment, there is no plan or intention to anonymize IPs for non-logged in users. It helps with accountability as knowing the IP will be visible deterring bad behavior. It also makes moderation easier. Realistically the only alternative is hashing the ip which complex and destroys the core principles that the wiki is about. [[User:Fen|Fen]] ([[User talk:Fen|talk]]) 23:16, 15 July 2025 (UTC)

==Add a patent as a source==

My interest in this woke up when editing [[Figma threatens companies using "Dev Mode"|this article]], and following the [[wikipedia:Template:Cite_patent|Wikipedia page to cite from a patent]], when previewing the article the reference wasn't rendered properly. I don't know if I screwed up something or really the site doesn't support yet the use of this format. Hope someone could illustrate me on how to move on with this [[User:Fjordpining|Fjordpining]] ([[User talk:Fjordpining|talk]]) 06:33, 18 July 2025 (UTC)

==stating "Recently updated" not particularly helpful==

On [https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=Special%3ARecentChanges| the "create account" page], near the bottom, it says, "We have recently updated our privacy policy." How recently? It doesn't say. The logical assumption which must be made is that it has changed seconds ago, and must be reread. How about instead displaying something along the lines of, "Our privacy policy was last updated on <date>", even if there does not exist a way to automate the display of the date, and the "create account" page (or the page of any other such notice) must be edited by hand?

:this is valid, and we'll try and get it fixed shortly [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 08:29, 15 August 2025 (UTC)
==Dependence on phone app for basic functions, make an article?==

I'm on Frontier internet, only gig around and I think they know it. We got fiber a few years ago and if you want wi-fi you either go with the Amazon Eeros(?) or learn how to do your own router. The Eeros seems that you can only access settings with a phone app, no desktop. Would this qualify it for an article on here? I've also heard about sleezy back door things happening either from Amazon or the IP itself, that they can access settings the customer cannot. Anyhow I don't want to just go ahead and write some poorly put together article and it shouldn't even be on here. [[User:Sawbones|Sawbones]] ([[User talk:Sawbones|talk]]) 17:57, 14 August 2025 (UTC)

:This probably depends on the level of coverage. have there been any news articles (local or otherwise) which are complaining about this? Forcing the customer to use unneccesarily invasive software to access a service is something which definitely fits within the wiki's scope, and anything which is happening across a whole ISP would be large-scale enough, but the final thing an article needs is good sources [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 08:27, 15 August 2025 (UTC)

==Cruzaders kings 2 incident.==

Hi everyone, as a fan of Paradox games and somebody that really wants to write in this wiki i wanted to ask something... what right exactly the paradox incident covers? i want to do it, but i dont understand quite exactly what i should do at writting it, why its an anti ownership or anti consumer practice, i need to understand that first to start it, because if i dont recognize well the systematic issue i think that i cannot treat it. [[User:Predatitor41|Predatitor41]] ([[User talk:Predatitor41|talk]]) 01:26, 15 August 2025 (UTC)

:I think I see the one you mean on the article suggestions. I'm honeslt not sure why it should be there either, it doesn't seem to fit. They sell a lot of DLC and it's quite expensive, but there's nothing particularly deceptive going on there from what I can tell. [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 08:29, 15 August 2025 (UTC)
::It looks like it was eliminated of suggestion articles, i dont know why but it looks like it was discarded. [[User:Predatitor41|Predatitor41]] ([[User talk:Predatitor41|talk]]) 14:44, 15 August 2025 (UTC)
:::I removed it for reasons stated previously - it (at least the way it was phrased in the entry) did not seem like something which would fit on the wiki [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 14:48, 15 August 2025 (UTC)

== Replace PrivacyTools.io with PrivacyGuides ==

As per PrivacyGuides FAQ page https://www.privacyguides.org/en/about/privacytools/

"In September 2021, every active contributor unanimously agreed to move from PrivacyTools to work on this site: Privacy Guides. This decision was made because PrivacyTools’ founder and controller of the domain name had disappeared for an extended period of time and could not be contacted.

Having built a reputable site and set of services on PrivacyTools.io, this caused grave concerns for the future of PrivacyTools, as any future disruption could wipe out the entire organization with no recovery method. This transition was communicated to the PrivacyTools community many months in advance via a variety of channels including its blog, Twitter, Reddit, and Mastodon to ensure the entire process went as smoothly as possible. We did this to ensure nobody was kept in the dark, which has been our modus operandi since our team was created, and to make sure Privacy Guides was recognized as the same reliable organization that PrivacyTools was before the transition.

After the organizational move was completed, the founder of PrivacyTools returned and began to spread misinformation about the Privacy Guides project. They continue to spread misinformation in addition to operating a paid link farm on the PrivacyTools domain. We are creating this page to clear up any misconceptions."

The current PrivacyTools.io site has obvious but undisclosed sponsored promotions of Nord Security products (NordVPN, Surfshark, Incogni) and maybe others as well. The events that transpired that led to the forming of PrivacyGuides are verifiable through searching community posts at the time and other sources. For those that remember the "leading" members of PrivacyTools at the time (Jonah Aragon, Daniel Gray, Niek-de-Wilde, freddy...), all of them were the ones who made PrivacyGuides and moved along with the whole community. Their forum and other channels are filled with community discussion and all recommendation additions and removals are debated in public as was the case with PrivacyTools in the past. Meanwhile today PrivacyTools.io doesn't even have an "About" page or anything,and while there is a Github page linked on the site, there doesn't seem to be a way to actually contribute (https://github.com/privacytoolsIO/privacy-tools/discussions/18).

== Addition of NOYB.eu to the Consumer Tools section ==

Suggestion to add https://noyb.eu/en to one of the subsections of the Consumer Tools sections. Possibly in the "Legal & complaint filing" subsection. It's a non-profit, specifically about data privacy and protection within the EU. [[User:Socks|Socks]] ([[User talk:Socks|talk]]) 17:05, 16 August 2025 (UTC)

TikTok

2025-08-16T16:30:49Z

Socks: /* Incidents */ added GDPR infringements and decision to incidents

{{Stub}}
{{ProductCargo
|Company=[[ByteDance]]
|ReleaseYear=2016
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Social media
|Logo=Tiktok PNG1-1180843710.png
|Website=https://tiktok.com
|Description=Social media platform famous for popularizing short-form content.
}}

[[wikipedia:TikTok|TikTok]] is a social media platform developed by the Chinese internet technology company [[ByteDance|ByteDance Ltd]]. The app has been cited with numerous privacy concerns that eventually led to a US state ban in May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archie |first=Ayana |date=May 18, 2023 |title=Montana becomes the first state to ban TikTok |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/05/18/1176805559/montana-tiktok-ban |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=NPR}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}
===User freedom===
*The app version requires an account to use the service.
===User privacy===
As per Privacy Policy:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Privacy Policy |url=https://www.tiktok.com/legal/page/row/privacy-policy/en |access-date=Aug 14, 2025 |website=TikTok}}</ref>
*Automatically collects unreasonable heaps of information to fingerprint the user:
<blockquote>
:'''Technical Information we collect about you.''' We collect certain information about the device you use to access the Platform, such as your IP address, user agent, mobile carrier, time zone settings, identifiers for advertising purposes, model of your device, the device system, network type, your screen resolution and operating system, app and file names and types, keystroke patterns or rhythms, battery state, audio settings and connected audio devices. [...]
</blockquote>
:*"Keystroke patterns or rhythms" is particularly notable as the in-app browser has been demonstrated to listen to inputs from keyboard and screen, as well as injecting JS code.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krause |first=Felix |date=Aug 18, 2022 |title=iOS Privacy: Announcing InAppBrowser.com - see what JavaScript commands get injected through an in-app browser |url=https://krausefx.com/blog/announcing-inappbrowsercom-see-what-javascript-commands-get-executed-in-an-in-app-browser#tiktok |access-date=Aug 14, 2025 |quote=While you are interacting with the website, TikTok subscribes to all keyboard inputs (including passwords, credit card information, etc.) and every tap on the screen, like which buttons and links you click.}}</ref>
*Also collects approximate location based on "SIM card and/or IP address" and precise location such as GPS.
*Serves personalized advertisements and runs its own AI-powered analytics tool for advertisers called "Insight Spotlight".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sato |first=Mia |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=TikTok will give advertisers even more data on trends and users |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/678255/tiktok-advertiser-summit-ai-targeting-data-seo |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Incident
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video
|-
|Violations of Children's Privacy Laws
|2019-current
|In 2019, the US Department of Justice sued TikTok and parent company [[ByteDance]] as well as it's associated companies for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act ([https://www.coppa.org/coppa/ COPPA]). The companies knowingly allowed children under 13 to make accounts and unlawfully collected data and personal information of said children without parental consent.<ref name="DOJ-COPPA">{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=Justice Department Sues TikTok and Parent Company ByteDance for Widespread Violations of Children’s Privacy Laws |url=https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-tiktok-and-parent-company-bytedance-widespread-violations-childrens |url-status=dead |website=Justice.gov}}</ref>
|TikTok, as of 2020, still has complains about allegedly still collecting and using personal data of children under 13.
|https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/ftc-investigation-leads-lawsuit-against-tiktok-bytedance-flagrantly-violating-childrens-privacy-law
|
|-
|Suppressing "ugly", poor, or disabled creators
|2020-present
|[https://theintercept.com/ The Intercept] published a report in 2020 stating that obtained internal documents from TikTok instructed moderators to limit the amount of videos with people who have "ugly facial looks". "abnormal body shape", or are in poor or dirty environments. The documents claim that these types of videos are "not the ideal video form of our platform"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Biddle1 Ribero2 Dias3 |first=Sam1 Paulo Victor2 Tatiana3 |date=2020-03-16 |title=Invisible Censorship |url=https://theintercept.com/2020/03/16/tiktok-app-moderators-users-discrimination/ |website=The Intercept}}</ref>
|A TikTok spokesperson stated that the guidelines were “an early blunt attempt at preventing bullying but are no longer in place"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Itimu |first=Kiruti |date=2020-03-17 |title=TikTok Apparently Suppressed Content From Ugly or Poor People |url=https://techweez.com/2020/03/17/tiktok-apparently-suppresses-content-from-ugly-and-poor-people/ |website=Techweez}}</ref>
|[https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/6810010/pages/Ugly-Content-Policy-p1-large.gif The documents themselves]
|
|}

===GDPR infringement Article Article 13(1)(f) & Article 46(1) GDPR (''May. 2025'')===
On May 2, 2025 the Irish Supervisory Authority fines TikTok a total of €530 million for infringement of Articles 13(1)(f) GDPR and Article 46(1) GDPR. The Irish Supervisory Authority (SA) has ordered TitTok to suspend the transfer of data from users in the EEA to the People’s Republic of China and to bring its processing operations into compliance with Chapter V of the GDPR within a period of 6 months.<ref>Irish Supervisory Authority fines TikTok €530 million and orders corrective measures following Inquiry into transfers of EEA User Data to China (2025, Jul, 04). edpb.europa.eu. Retrieved Aug 16, 2025, from https://www.edpb.europa.eu/news/news/2025/irish-supervisory-authority-fines-tiktok-eu530-million-and-orders-corrective_en</ref>

==See also==
*[[ByteDance]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:TikTok| ]]
[[Category:Social media companies]]

Epic Games

2025-06-14T18:33:39Z

Socks: /* Incidents */ added incident and source over allegations of privacy violations and unwanted charges

{{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Epic Games, Inc.
| Type = Private
| Founded = 1991
| Industry = Video Games
| Official Website = https://epicgames.com/
| Logo = Epicgames.png
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Epic_Games|Epic Games]]''' is a software development and media-publishing company founded in 1991 by Tim Sweeney.

==Consumer impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User Freedom
* User Privacy
* Business Model
* Market Control}}

==Bad Practices==

===Forced Arbitration===
Since before [https://web.archive.org/web/20220318123706/https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/eula March 18, 2022] Epic Games updated their policy for using their Epic Games Store to include include forced arbitration in their Terms of Service in order to continue using their platform. In case you do not agree to it you are effectively locked from all your previously purchased games and software.
[[File:Epic ToS Snippet.png|none|thumb|522x522px]]Between [https://web.archive.org/web/20200820013456/https://www.psyonix.com/eula/ August 20, 2020] & [https://web.archive.org/web/20200917232300/https://www.psyonix.com/eula/ September 17, 2020], Epic Games updated their policy for Psyonix's Rocket League over a year after it's acquisition to include forced arbitration in their Terms of Service in order to continue using their game. If you do not agree to it you are effectively locked from playing your game or using the software, which many had previously purchased before the Free-to-play change with the Epic Acquisition. If you do continue use (offline) without explicitly agreeing, by previous agreement to changes to EULA, you agree to the new terms. Upon agreement, you have 30-days to Email or Write them your wish to opt-out. [I'm not sure if that counts from your original agreement or per-EULA change.]

==Incidents==

===Unreal and Unreal Tournament===
In 2022, owners of various entries within the ''Unreal'' and ''Unreal Tournament'' series had their licenses effectively expired, and were thus unable to launch or install these games.<ref>https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/xbox/forum/all/unreal-tournament-games/1fd3906c-23d4-4580-b194-4b7ef81dd4a9</ref> (Editor's note: add a screenshot of UT being grayed out in the launcher!)

A few years later, some entries in the series would make its way to the [[Internet Archive]] for users to freely install, but not all delisted games have been re-published onto the platform.<ref>https://archive.org/details/UT99-Complete-Retail</ref><ref>https://archive.org/details/ut-99</ref><ref>https://archive.org/details/unreal-tournament-complete</ref><ref>https://archive.org/details/ut-goty</ref>

===Removal of Linux and MacOS versions of Rocket League===
In 2020, Epic and its subsidiary Psyonix announced that whilst Rocket League gamers had purchased the game with full support for Linux and MacOS, this support was being withdrawn and the game would be offline only for these Operating Systems, and gamers were directed to play the game on Windows instead.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ending Support for MacOS and Linux |url=https://www.rocketleague.com/en/news/ending-support-for-mac-and-linux}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rocket League Support for macOS and Linux (SteamOS) |url=https://www.epicgames.com/help/en-US/c-Category_RocketLeague/c-RocketLeague_TechnicalSupport/rocket-league-support-for-macos-and-linux-steamos-a000084314}}</ref> Many speculated that the change was in relation to Psyonix's acquisition by Epic Games several months earlier. At the time of acquisition Epic stated that gamers "''will still be able to play Rocket League on Steam with all of the content they've previously purchased.''"

===Account requirement for Rocket League===
{{Main|Epic Games forced third party account creation in Rocket League}}
With the v2.48 patch on January 29th 2025, Steam users wanting to play Rocket League were suddenly met with an error upon startup of the game, with the user being required to create an account with Epic Games before being able to access the game they bought and paid for. This change was not mentioned in the patch notes, and was done well after the game was moved from Steam to EGS in 2020.

===Violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and usage of dark patterns===
In December 2022 the FTC announced that it secured agreements that require Epic Games, Inc. to pay a total of $520 million for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and using dark patterns to trick players into making purchases.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fortnite Video Game Maker Epic Games to Pay More Than Half a Billion Dollars over FTC Allegations of Privacy Violations and Unwanted Charges |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/12/fortnite-video-game-maker-epic-games-pay-more-half-billion-dollars-over-ftc-allegations}}</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Epic Games]]

Steam

2025-05-25T22:35:22Z

Socks: added section" antitrust ruling"

{{ProductPage
|infobox_logo=Steam.png

|infobox_1_key=Release Year
|infobox_1_value=2003

|infobox_2_key=Product Type
|infobox_2_value=Video-game distribution platform

|infobox_3_key=In Production
|infobox_3_value=Yes

|infobox_4_key=Official Website
|infobox_4_value=https://store.steampowered.com

|description='''Steam''' is a digital storefront and service for video-game distribution, operated by [[Valve|Valve Corporation]]. Launched in 2003, it has grown to become the largest digital-distribution platform for PC gaming, with over 130 million monthly active users as of 2024. The platform offers services for [[digital rights management]] (DRM), server hosting, video streaming, and social networking.<ref>[https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/about "At Valve we make games, Steam, and hardware."] ''Valve Corporation''. 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>

|summary_privacy_1=Collects extensive personal data including email, location, payment details, and device information<ref name="privacy-policy">[https://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/ "Privacy Policy Agreement."] ''Steam''. February 14, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>
|summary_privacy_2=Records and stores all user communications through platform features<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_privacy_3=Keeps certain user data indefinitely for "gameplay consistency" even after account deletion<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_privacy_4=Tracks gaming behavior including preferences, progress, playtime, and device usage<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_privacy_5=Shares user data with game developers and third-party service providers<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_privacy_6=Makes user profile data publicly available through Steamworks API<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_privacy_7=Uses cookies and similar technologies for tracking across websites<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_privacy_8=Retains transaction data for up to 10 years after account closure<ref name="privacy-policy" />

|summary_freedom_1=Users do not own purchased games, only receive limited licenses<ref name="subscriber-agreement">[https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement "Steam Subscriber Agreement."] ''Steam''. September 26, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>
|summary_freedom_2=Can terminate access to paid content at Valve's discretion<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
|summary_freedom_3=No right to transfer or resell purchased games<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
|summary_freedom_4=Imposes regional restrictions on game activation and playing<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
|summary_freedom_5=Can unilaterally modify terms with 30-day notice<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
|summary_freedom_6=Mandatory client updates required to access library<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
|summary_freedom_7=Users must accept all changes to maintain access to purchased content<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
|summary_freedom_8=No option to opt out of core data collection while using service<ref name="privacy-policy" />

|summary_transparency_1=Provides clear refund policy for games (any game played less than 2 hours within 14 days)<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
|summary_transparency_2=It will mainly reference instances where the product prevents inspection or is intentionally confusing
|summary_transparency_3=Maintains detailed system requirements information for all games<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
|summary_transparency_4=Offers comprehensive privacy policy in accessible language<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_transparency_5=Unclear processes for account termination and data removal<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_transparency_6=Limited transparency about content moderation decisions<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
|summary_transparency_7=Vague about specific data retention timeframes<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_transparency_8=No clear disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors<ref name="privacy-policy" />

|incidents_1_title=Modification to terms-of-service
|incidents_1_date=Sep. 2024
|incidents_1_text=
{{Main|Valve removes arbitration requirement from Steam Subscriber Agreement}}
In September 2024, Steam implemented significant changes to its subscriber agreement that altered user rights and game-ownership terms. Additionally, it removed [[Forced Arbitration|forced arbitration]] from the Steam Subscriber Agreement.<ref>Carpenter, Nicole (September 27, 2024). [https://www.polygon.com/explained/457557/valve-arbitration-steam-subscriber-agreements "Valve removes arbitration from its Steam agreements — here's what that means for you"]. ''Polygon''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref><ref>Rossmann, Louis (September 27, 2024). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f81qXxggo8 "Steam altered the terms of the sale; you'll be happy they altered it further!"] ''YouTube''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref> Key changes included:
*Enhanced ability to terminate accounts for violations
*Additional data collection and sharing provisions
*Modified dispute resolution procedures

|incidents_2_title=Customer database hack
|incidents_2_date=Oct. 2011
|incidents_2_text=In October 2011, Valve was forced to temporarily close the Steam Community forums following security-breach concerns. Days later, the company confirmed that hackers had compromised one of its customer databases. The compromised database contained user information, including encrypted credit-card numbers, billing addresses, purchase histories, email addresses, and encrypted passwords for Steam accounts.<ref>Johnson, Casey (November 10, 2011). [https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/11/valve-confirms-steam-hack-credit-cards-personal-info-may-be-stolen/ "Valve confirms Steam hack: credit cards, personal info may be stolen"]. ''Ars Technica''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>

At the time of disclosure, Valve stated they had no evidence that the encrypted credit-card numbers or personally identifying information had been taken, nor was there evidence that the encryption on the credit-card numbers or passwords had been cracked. Nevertheless, they advised users to closely monitor their credit-card activity and statements as a precautionary measure.

|incidents_3_title=Antitrust ruling: Geo-blocking
|incidents_3_date=Jan. 2021
|incidents_3_text=On January 20, 2021, the European Commission fined Valve, owner of Steam, €1.6 million for breaching EU antitrust rules by engaging in geo-blocking practices through Steam within the European Economic Area (‘EEA'). Five PC video game publishers have also been fined for engaging with Valve through Steam in geo-blocking practices by "requesting Valve to set up geographical restrictions and to provide geo-blocked Steam activation keys"(EU Commission, 2021). The fines for the publishers was reduced due to the cooperation of the five publishers with the Commision. Valve did not cooperate with the Commission.<ref>Antitrust: Commission fines Valve and five publishers of PC video games € 7.8 million for “geo-blocking” practices. (2021, Jan, 20). ec.europa.eu. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_170</ref>

}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Services]]
[[Category:Valve Corporation]]

Netflix

2025-05-25T11:06:52Z

Socks: added section "GDPR violation"

{{StubNotice}}

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Netflix, Inc.
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1997
| Industry = Media Streaming
| Official Website = https://www.netflix.com/
| Logo = Netflix 2015 logo.svg
}}

[[wikipedia:Netflix|Netflix, Inc.]] is a media streaming service and publisher, founded in 1997 by ''Reed Hastings'' and ''Marc Randolph'' formerly for remote video rentals, it eventually became the pioneer of the video streaming industry in 2007, eventually turning to more anti-consumer practices in the mid-2010s and later.

==Consumer-impact summary==

*User Freedom: Extensive history of restricting access to content, including paywalling higher quality content,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=And_You_Like_It_Too |date=Dec 16, 2023 |title=How much licensed content does Netflix display in premium formats (4K, HDR/Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos) in the 4K tier? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/18k554z/how_much_licensed_content_does_netflix_display_in/ |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=Reddit}}</ref> increasing costs of service, combatting password sharing, and more.
*User Privacy: Extensive history of collecting and selling user data.
*Business Model: Streaming service content, [[advertising overload]]
*Market Competition: Extensive, including free platforms like [[Roku]] TV and Pluto TV, and premium platforms such as [[Disney+]], [[Hulu]], and [[HBO Max]].

==Controversies==

===Stream-quality controversy===
{{Main|Netflix stream-quality controversy}}
Discovered as early as December 2023,<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rikki1256 |date=Dec 2, 2023 |title=Netflix requirements to watch 4k that you paid for |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Piracy/comments/189odn6/netflix_requirements_to_watch_4k_that_you_paid_for/ |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=Reddit}}</ref> ''Netflix'' has not clearly defined<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Netflix Support |title=Netflix supported browsers and system requirements |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/node/30081 |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=help.netflix.com}}</ref> every restriction for how users are capable of accessing higher quality streaming content, despite 4k content being a specified tier consumers pay for.

===Advertising overload===
{{Main|Advertising overload}}
Netflix was among one of the first<ref name=":8">[https://help.netflix.com/en/node/126831 Ads on Netflix]</ref> premium streaming services to integrate advertisements on top of having to pay for the service. Since then, the platform has sought progressively more avenues to integrate advertisements, including further ads.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=11 Sep 2021 |title=Share of adults who think there were too many ads on video streaming services in the United States as of September 2021, by generation |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1307619/video-streaming-advertising-frequency-by-generation-us/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Statista]]}}</ref> These advertisements have also increased the amount of data that Netflix can collect, and by extension, sell.

Due to the amount of data that Netflix has been able to sell due to advertisement integration, it has also encouraged the company to raise the costs of ad-free tiers, so subscribers are forced either paying more to not see ads, or witness an increasing barrage of advertisements.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Roettgers |first=Janko |date=23 Sep 2023 |title=Why every streaming service wants you to watch ads now |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90956587/why-every-streaming-service-wants-you-to-watch-ads-now |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Fast Company]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

Additionaly, starting from 2025, Netflix will be using generative AI to "serve the right ad to the right member at the right time" to subscribers of the lowest paying tier,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=May 18, 2025 |title=Netflix puts AI ads in paid tier: pirate EVERYTHING at this point... 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhvDXmFEeUI |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Netflix |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Netflix Upfront 2025: The Center of Attention |url=https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-upfront-2025-the-center-of-attention |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Netflix About}}</ref> meaning the quality of these advertisements will be further put into question, and said advertisements may encourage further user tracking in order to "tailor" the content.

===DRM Restrictions===
Netflix has historically halted access for certain consumer devices merely due to the fact that these devices cannot support PlayReady DRM.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitnam |first=Ryan |date=Nov 12, 2019 |title=Netflix Is Killing Support for Some TVs and Roku Boxes Because of DRM |url=https://www.extremetech.com/internet/301842-netflix-is-killing-support-for-some-tvs-and-roku-boxes-because-of-drm |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Extreme Tech}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Torbet |first=Georgina |date=Nov 12, 2019 |title=Netflix explains why its apps won't work on older TVs and set-top boxes |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019-11-12-netflix-older-hardware-drm.html |access-date=May 18, 2025 |work=Engadget}}</ref> The usage of DRM has also brought forth criticism from organizations such as Defective by Design and the Free Software Foundation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rogoff |first=Zak |date=Jul 12, 2013 |title=Cancel Netflix if you value freedom |url=https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/cancel-netflix-if-you-value-freedom |access-date=May 18, 2025 |work=Free Software Foundation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Farough |first=Greg |date=Dec 16, 2020 |title=IDAD 2020 sent Netflix and DRM a message |url=https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/idad-2020-sent-netflix-and-drm-a-message |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=Free Software Foundation}}</ref>

Previously until October 2014, Linux couldn't support Netflix for streaming strictly due to a lack of DRM support.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wallen |first=Jack |date=Aug 14, 2010 |title=The Netflix Linux conjecture: How Netflix snubs the Linux community |url=https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/linux-and-open-source/the-netflix-linux-conjecture-how-netflix-snubs-the-linux-community/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020232704/https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/linux-and-open-source/the-netflix-linux-conjecture-how-netflix-snubs-the-linux-community/ |archive-date=Oct 20, 2015 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=TechRepublic}}</ref>

===Selling identifiable user data===
{{Main|The Netflix Prize}}
From 2006 through 2010, ''Netflix'' held competitions to improve its recommendation system via '[[The Netflix Prize|''The Netflix Prize'']]'.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Netflix |title=The Netflix Prize |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924184639/http://www.netflixprize.com/community/viewtopic.php?id=1537 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://www.netflixprize.com//community/viewtopic.php?id=1537 |archive-date=Sep 24, 2009 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Netflix}}</ref> These competitions had prizes that were valued at $50k or higher.<ref name=":3" /> This has brought several privacy concerns from its userbase, and led to at least 2 lawsuits<ref>{{Cite news |last=Demerjian |first=Dave |date=Mar 15, 2007 |title=Rise of the Netflix Hackers |url=https://archive.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/03/72963 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928235912/http://archive.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/03/72963 |archive-date=Sep 28, 2015 |access-date=May 15, 2025 |work=WIRED}}</ref> concerning these competitions<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singel |first=Ryan |date=Dec 17, 2009 |title=Netflix Spilled Your Brokeback Mountain Secret, Lawsuit Claims |url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/12/netflix-privacy-lawsuit/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227060413/http://www.wired.com/2009/12/netflix-privacy-lawsuit/ |archive-date=Feb 27, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2015 |work=WIRED}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 6, 2023 |title=DOE et al v. NETFLIX, INC. et al, No. 1:2022cv01281 - Document 155 (S.D. Ind. 2023) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/indiana/insdce/1:2022cv01281/201228/155/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Justia}}</ref> which were found to be capable of leaking identifiable information, and especially could have been worsened had their sequel series successfully launched, as data such as renters' ages, gender, ZIP codes, genre ratings and previously chosen movies were provided to these research teams.

===Illegal retention of user data===
In 2011, Netflix settled a lawsuit regarding the retention of user data that was at least 2 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stangel |first=Luke |date=Mar 25, 2013 |title=Netflix settles $9 million privacy lawsuit |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2013/03/25/netflix-settles-9-million-privacy.html |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Silicon Valley Business Journal}}</ref>{{Citation needed}}

===GDPR violation===
On November 26, 2024, the Dutch Data Protection Authority imposed an administrative fine of €4.75 million to Netflix for not properly informing customers about processing their data between the years 2018 and 2020. The lack of transparency and unclear information given by Netflix was in direct violation of several articles of the [[GDPR]].<ref>Dutch Data Protection Authority. (2024). Decision to impose an administrative fine for violation of the GDPR (Dutch DPA). Dutch Data Protection Authority. https://autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl/en/system/files?file=2024-12/Decision%20fine%20Netflix.pdf</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Netflix]]

Ubisoft

2025-05-25T10:31:44Z

Socks: added section "GDPR complaint"

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Ubisoft
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1986
| Industry = Video Games
| Official Website = https://ubisoft.com/
| Logo = Ubisoft.png
}}

'''[[Wikipedia:Ubisoft|Ubisoft Entertainment SA]]''' is a multinational video-game company, known for developing and publishing popular franchises such as ''Assassin's Creed'', ''Far Cry'', and ''Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six''. The company has positioned itself as a leader in the video game industry, referring to some of its releases as "AAAA" games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Olivia |date=10 Sep 2020 |title=Ubisoft Insists On Calling Beyond Good And Evil 2, Skull & Bones ‘AAAA’ Games |url=https://screenrant.com/ubisoft-beyond-good-evil-skull-bones-aaaa-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Screen Rant}}</ref>

==Relevant incidents==

===''The Crew'' shutdown===
One of the most significant consumer protection issues surrounding Ubisoft in recent years relates to the 2014 game ''The Crew''. In late 2023, Ubisoft announced the shutdown of the online services for ''The Crew'', making the game unplayable entirely, even the single-player content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=14 Dec 2023 |title=The Crew Delisted From All Digital Storefronts, Servers Shut Down Early 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-crew-delisted-from-all-digital-storefronts-servers-shut-down-early-2024 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=IGN}}</ref> The decision to decommission the game's servers was controversial, as Ubisoft retroactively altered the terms of sale. Players who had purchased the game, which was initially marketed with certain single-player functionality, found that they could no longer access said single-player features after the servers were shut down.

The decommissioning of ''The Crew'' also sparked a wider debate on the viability of "games-as-a-service" models, which Ubisoft has heavily invested in.<ref>[https://www.stopkillinggames.com/ Stop Killing Games]</ref> These models often require ongoing internet connectivity to function and rely on servers run by the company. At any time, the company can decide to shut down the servers and the games will no longer be playable, as seen with ''The Crew''.

Weeks after the shutdown of The Crew, Ubisoft also revoked the licenses for players off the Ubisoft Connect PC app, so the game was no longer downloadable.

===''Star Wars Outlaws'' forced update===
''Star Wars Outlaws'' was released in August 2024, with two editions that allowed players to have early access to the game for $110 and $130, respectively, approximately twice the cost of the game on release day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Chris |date=6 Aug 2024 |title=Star Wars Outlaws: Here’s What Comes in Each Edition |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-outlaws-release-date-special-editions |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=IGN}}</ref> Ubisoft then pushed an update just before the full release that caused players on PlayStation 5 who had paid extra for the game as early access to have their save file deleted.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Kyle |date=28 Aug 2024 |title=Star Wars Outlaws Players Forced to Delete Saved Data on PS5 |url=https://gamerant.com/star-wars-outlaws-bug-delete-save-data-ps5/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Game Rant}}</ref> Although the update was intended to fix a game-breaking bug, upon full release many bugs remained.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gherzo |first=Alex |date=27 Aug 2024 |title=Star Wars Outlaws Still Looks Buggy the Week of Its Release |url=https://www.geeksandgamers.com/star-wars-outlaws-still-looks-buggy-the-week-of-its-release/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Geeks and Gamers}}</ref> This behavior also highlights an ongoing pattern in which Ubisoft releases an incomplete game, expects players to buy the game and act as the testers, and then patches the game later.

===Inclusion of lawsuit-waiving clauses in game-giveaway license===
In December of 2014, Ubisoft was giving away free licenses for a game, but with a catch: the terms<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=23 Dec 2014 |title=Assassin's Creed Unity Free Game Offer Waives Lawsuits |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassin-s-creed-unity-free-game-offer-waives-laws/1100-6424381/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Gamespot}}</ref> for the clickwrap agreement in obtaining the game for free contained a clause stating that the user could not sue Ubisoft in relation to ''Assassin's Creed Unity'' or its season pass:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Futter |first=Mike |date=18 Dec 2014 |title=Your Assassin’s Creed Unity Season Pass Free Game Comes With A Legal Catch |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/12/18/your-assassin-s-creed-unity-season-pass-free-game-comes-with-a-legal-catch.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Game Informer}}</ref><blockquote>''You hereby irrevocably and unconditionally RELEASE, WAIVE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., and each of its past, present and future divisions, parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors and assigns, together with all of their respective past, present and future employees, officers, shareholders, directors and agents, and those who give recommendations, directions, or instructions or engage in risk evaluation or loss control activities regarding the Campaign (all for the purposes herein referred to as “Released Parties”) FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY TO YOU, your assigns, heirs, and next of kin FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, CHARGES, LAWSUITS, DEBTS, DEFENSES, ACTIONS OR CAUSES OF ACTION, OBLIGATIONS, DAMAGES, LOSS OF SERVICE, COMPENSATION, PAIN AND SUFFERING, ATTORNEYS’ FEES, AND COST AND EXPENSES OF SUIT, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE PURCHASE, ACQUISITION, RENTAL, POSSESSION AND/OR USAGE, AND/OR THE INTENT TO PURCHASE, ACQUIRE, RENT, POSSESS AND/OR USE, THE ASSASSIN’S CREED UNITY VIDEO GAME AND/OR THE ASSASSIN’S CREED UNITY SEASON PASS ON ANY AND ALL PLATFORMS, AND/OR RELATED TO THE CAMPAIGN, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES OR OTHERWISE.''</blockquote>

===Comments by executives===
Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, has repeatedly stated that "[[games-as-a-service]]" is the future of the gaming industry,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=30 May 2017 |title=Top Video Game Companies Won't Stop Talking About 'Games As A Service' |url=https://kotaku.com/top-video-game-companies-wont-stop-talking-about-games-1795663927 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Kotaku}}</ref> and Ubisoft's director of subscriptions, Philippe Tremblay, said that players should get used to not owning their games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=16 Jan 2024 |title=Ubisoft Exec Says Gamers Need to Get 'Comfortable' Not Owning Their Games for Subscriptions to Take Off |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ubisoft-exec-says-gamers-need-to-get-comfortable-not-owning-their-games-for-subscriptions-to-take-off |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=IGN}}</ref> These comments have been met with criticism, particularly when juxtaposed with decisions like the shutdown of ''The Crew'' and the introduction of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into Ubisoft’s business model.

On January 15, 2024, Ubisoft's director of subscriptions, Philippe Tremblay, was interviewed by [http://www.gamesindustry.biz gamesindustry.biz]. During this interview, Tremblay made the following comment on ownership:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dring |first=Christopher |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=The new Ubisoft+ and getting gamers comfortable with not owning their games |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/the-new-ubisoft-and-getting-gamers-comfortable-with-not-owning-their-games |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Games Industry}}</ref><blockquote>"One of the things we saw is that gamers are used to, a little bit like DVD, having and owning their games. That's the consumer shift that needs to happen. They got comfortable not owning their CD collection or DVD collection. That's a transformation that's been a bit slower to happen [in games]. As gamers grow comfortable in that aspect… you don't lose your progress. If you resume your game at another time, your progress file is still there. That's not been deleted. You don't lose what you've built in the game or your engagement with the game. So it's about feeling comfortable with not owning your game."</blockquote>

===California class action lawsuit===
Polygon reported on November 11, 2024<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=11 Nov 2024 |title=Ubisoft sued for shutting down The Crew |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref> about two owners of the crew filing a class action lawsuit against Ubisoft on November 04, 2024 alleging violations of unfair competition, false advertising, fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of implied warranty, according to California Law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Apr 2024 |title=Crew Lawsuit Via Polygon |url=https://it.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Scribd}}</ref><blockquote>"Imagine you buy a pinball machine, and years later, you enter your den to go play it, only to discover that all the paddles are missing, the pinball and bumpers are gone, and the monitor that proudly displayed your unassailable high score is removed."</blockquote>Ubisoft responded to this lawsuit with a motion to dismiss on February 05, 20205, also reported by Polygon,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=9 Apr 2025 |title=Ubisoft holds firm in The Crew lawsuit: You don’t own your video games |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/555469/ubisoft-holds-firm-in-the-crew-lawsuit-you-dont-own-your-video-games |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref> arguing that plaintiffs don’t have a case reiterating that fact that you don't own the video game you bought:<blockquote>"The [essence] of the plaintiffs’ complaint is that Ubisoft allegedly misled purchasers of its video game The Crew into believing they were purchasing unfettered ownership rights in the game, rather than a limited license to access the game. But the reality is that consumers received the benefit of their bargain and were explicitly notified, at the time of purchase, that they were purchasing a license."<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Feb 2025 |title=The Crew lawsuit, Ubisoft response -- via Polygon |url=https://it.scribd.com/document/848030901/The-Crew-lawsuit-Ubisoft-response-via-Polygon |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2025 |website=Scribd}}</ref></blockquote>On March 18, 2025 plaintiffs ammended the complain with pictures of the physical copy arguing that the in-box Activation Code for The Crew had an expiration date of 2099. Additionally, the game’s in-game currency could be considered a form of gift certificate. In California, a gift certificate is not allowed to expire.

===GDPR Complaint===
On April 24, 2025, noyb, a European non-profit organisation for digital rights, filed a [[GDPR]] complaint to the Austrian data protection authority (DSB) against Ubisoft for forcing its customers to connect to the internet every time a single player game is launched, thereby collecting data on gaming behaviour. This seemingly random collection of data is an infringement of Article 6(1) of the GDPR.

Noyb's official statement:<ref name="gdpr-complaint">Like to play alone? Ubisoft is still watching you! (2025, April 28). noyb.eu. https://noyb.eu/en/play-alone-ubisoft-still-watching-you</ref>
<blockquote>Complaint filed in Austria. noyb has therefore filed a GDPR complaint with the Austrian data protection authority (DSB). We request the DSB to declare that Ubisoft infringed Article 6(1) GDPR with its processing of personal data without a valid legal basis. In addition, we request that Ubisoft deletes all personal information by the complainant that has been processed without a valid legal basis – and that the company ceases further unlawful processing. Last but not least, we suggest that the data protection authority impose an administrative fine. Based on Ubisoft’s turnover of more than € 2 billion, the data protection authority could issue a fine of up to € 92 million.(“Like to Play Alone? Ubisoft Is Still Watching You!,” 2025)</blockquote>

According to noyb there is no valid and legal reason to collect such data "Under Article 6(1) GDPR, there seems to be no valid legal basis to randomly collect such user data" (“Like to Play Alone? Ubisoft Is Still Watching You!,” 2025).<ref name="gdpr-complaint" />

===Switch to subscription model for the game Rocksmith===
{{Main|Rocksmith}}
Rocksmith is a Ubisoft video game that got delisted from every storefront to switch to Rocksmith+, a subscribtion based game.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

NordVPN

2025-05-24T11:00:13Z

Socks: added class action lawsuit filing

{{StubNotice}}

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = NordVPN
| Type = Subsidiary
| Founded = 2012
| Industry = Cybersecurity
| Official Website = https://nordvpn.com
| Logo = NordVPN logo.svg
}}
'''[[wikipedia:NordVPN|NordVPN]]''' is a Virtual Private Network bservice provider owned by [https://nordsecurity.com Nord Security]. NordVPN heavily advertises on popular tech YouTube channels. NordVPN operates worldwide, with offices in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, the United States, Lithuania, Switzerland, and Panama.

==Controversies==

===Subscription Renewal Practices===

A class action lawsuit has been proposed on November 19, 2024 accusing NordVPN and its developer Nord Security of using deceptive and illegal subscription renewal practices.<ref>Rizzi, C. (2024, November 20). NordVPN lawsuit filed over allegedly illegal automatic subscription renewal practices. ClassAction.org. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.classaction.org/news/nordvpn-lawsuit-filed-over-allegedly-illegal-automatic-subscription-renewal-practices</ref>

===Privacy concerns===

Due to current laws, United States intelligence agencies are prohibited from spying on American citizens' communications, including internet traffic (with some expanding exceptions).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA) |url=https://bja.ojp.gov/program/it/privacy-civil-liberties/authorities/statutes/1285 |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=Office of Justice Programs}}</ref> However, internet traffic that exits the country is legally subject to interception and decryption. This includes VPN providers that route traffic outside the United States. As a result, using a VPN may inadvertently expose users to surveillance by U.S. intelligence agencies. No international VPN providers disclose this risk to their customers. It is entirely legal for U.S. intelligence agencies to break encryption, perform man-in-the-middle attacks, or employ other methods to weaken encryption on data crossing international borders.

If data passes international borders it is subject to "bulk collection" by the Intelligence Community because of Executive Order 12333.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goitein |first=Elizabeth |date=15 Feb 2022 |title=How the CIA Is Acting Outside the Law to Spy on Americans |url=https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/how-cia-acting-outside-law-spy-americans |url-status=live |access-date=26 Mar 2025 |website=Brennan Center}}</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:NordVPN]]

Dark pattern

2025-05-23T16:01:17Z

Socks: edited layout, added some sources, created references list

{{Incomplete}}

Dark Patterns, also referred to as Deceptive Patterns, refer to deceptive design practices used in websites, applications, or digital interfaces to manipulate users into making decisions that benefit the organization implementing them, often at the expense of the user’s best interests.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – user interfaces designed to trick you. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/</ref> Coined by user-experience (UX) specialist Harry Brignull in 2010, the term has since become a critical focus in consumer advocacy, as these practices undermine transparency and user autonomy.

== Types and examples of dark patterns ==
Dark patterns can be found across multiple industries and platforms. While some examples overlap or share common tactics, all rely on manipulation and deception to achieve their goals. Listed below are notable types:

*'''[[Post-purchase EULA modification]]''': Critical [[End-user license agreement|end-user license agreements]] (EULAs) are hidden or presented only after purchase, making it difficult for users to review terms before committing. These agreements may be located inside packaging, under a lid, or displayed upon initial activation, limiting informed consent. This tactic overlaps with "forced continuity" and "roach motel" practices.

*'''Forced continuity''': Users are charged for a subscription or service after a free trial without adequate warning or an easy cancellation option.

*'''Roach motel''': Users can easily sign up for a service or subscription but will find it extremely difficult to cancel.

*'''Hidden costs''': Additional charges are revealed only at the final stages of a transaction, after users have already invested significant time.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Hidden Costs. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/hidden-costs</ref>

*'''Sneak into basket''': Items or services are automatically added to a shopping cart without explicit consent.

*'''Confirmshaming''': Users are guilt-tripped into taking a particular action by framing alternative options unfavorably (e.g., "No, I don’t want to save money").<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Confirmshaming. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/confirmshaming</ref>

*'''Privacy Zuckering''': Tricking users into sharing more personal information than intended, often through misleading privacy settings or pre-checked consent boxes.

*'''Disguised ads''': Ads are designed to look like native content or legitimate interface elements, tricking users into clicking.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Disguised ads. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/disguised-ads</ref>

*'''Trick wording''': Misleading language to elicit unintended responses from users.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Trick wording. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/trick-wording</ref>

*'''[[Fear of missing out]] (FOMO)''': The use of time-limited availability to instill a sense of urgency in users, causing them to devote more time or money in order to acquire a product, service, or digital item. This tactic overlaps with "misleading scarcity message" practices.

*'''Misleading scarcity messages''': Phrases like "Only 3 left in stock!" or "Offer expires in 10 minutes" are displayed to create a false sense of urgency, even when the product is widely available.

*'''Friend spam''': Users are encouraged to share personal information about their friends or contacts, which is then used for unsolicited marketing.

*'''Default-settings exploitation''': Options that benefit the company are pre-selected, such as extensive data sharing or auto-renewal of subscriptions.<ref name="edpb">European Data Protection Board. (2023). Deceptive design patterns in social media platform interfaces: how to recognise and avoid them (EDPB). European Data Protection Board. https://www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files/2023-02/edpb_03-2022_guidelines_on_deceptive_design_patterns_in_social_media_platform_interfaces_v2_en_0.pdf</ref>

*'''Obstruction''': Simple tasks are made unnecessarily complicated, such as requiring users to navigate multiple steps to cancel a subscription or delete an account.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Obstruction. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/obstruction</ref>
*'''Bait and Switch:''' A user sets out to do one thing, but a different outcome happens instead. For example, clicking a button that says “Download” initiates a purchase instead.
*'''Forced Action (a.k.a. Forced Engagement):''' Users are required to perform an unrelated task to proceed - for example, making an account or subscribing to a newsletter just to access basic content or features.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Forced action. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/forced-action</ref>
*'''Misdirection:''' Attention is purposefully drawn to one element to distract from another - often used to downplay important opt-outs, costs, or alternatives.
*'''Visual Interference:''' Design elements such as misleading colours, button sizes, or placements make it hard for users to make informed choices (e.g., greyed-out opt-outs that are still clickable).<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Visual interference. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/visual-interference</ref>
*'''Gamification for Manipulation:''' Using badges, streaks, or points to incentivize continued use or spending, beyond what’s rational or in the user’s best interest.
*'''Nagging:''' Repeatedly prompting the user to take an action that is potentially detrimental to the user - e.g., “Are you sure you don’t want notifications?” shown on every login.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Nagging. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/nagging</ref>
*'''Hidden Subscription (a variant of Forced Continuity):''' The cost and terms of a subscription are hidden during sign-up or obscured in fine print, often leading users to unknowingly commit to recurring charges.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Hidden subscription. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/hidden-subscription</ref>
*'''Price Comparison Prevention:''' Limiting a user’s ability to compare prices across competitors - e.g., by using unique product names or obscuring base pricing models.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Comparison prevention. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/comparison-prevention</ref>
*'''Intermittent Rewards:''' Randomised rewards (like loot boxes or algorithmic content feeds) are designed to mimic gambling patterns from games in which players wager and encourage compulsive behaviour.
*'''Trick Timers:''' Timers that restart or extend themselves after expiring to simulate urgency and encourage immediate decisions based on false time pressure.

== Why dark patterns are problematic ==
Dark patterns are more than just unethical design choices. They have real-world consequences for consumers and society. Key concerns include:

*'''Erosion of trust''': Users lose confidence in platforms that manipulate their choices, undermining long-term loyalty.
*'''Financial loss''': Consumers often incur unexpected charges or fees, because of deceptive practices.
*'''Privacy violations''': Trickery in consent-gathering leads to the misuse or overcollection of personal data.
*'''Exploitation of vulnerability''': Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, such as children or those with limited digital literacy.

===Regulatory efforts===
Governments and consumer-protection organizations are increasingly scrutinizing dark patterns. Key developments include:

*'''[[California Privacy Rights Act]] (CPRA)''': Prohibits the use of deceptive designs to obtain consent for data collection.
*'''[[EU General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR)''': Mandates that consent be informed and freely given, effectively targeting privacy zuckering.
*'''[[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC)''': In the U.S., the FTC has taken action against companies employing dark patterns, including fines and enforcement actions.

===Combating dark patterns===
Consumers and designers can take steps to identify and combat dark patterns by:

*'''Raising awareness''': Educating users about common dark patterns helps them make informed decisions.
*'''Transparent design principles''': Advocating for ethical design practices that prioritize user autonomy and clarity.
*'''Policy advocacy''': Supporting stronger regulatory frameworks to hold organizations accountable for deceptive practices.
*'''Third-party tools''': Using browser extensions and tools designed to block or highlight manipulative elements.

===Conclusion===
Dark patterns undermine the principles of fair commerce and user empowerment, exploiting human psychology for profit. As awareness grows, collaboration among consumers, designers, and regulators will be essential to curb their prevalence and ensure digital spaces remain transparent and trustworthy.

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Anti-Consumer_Practices]]
[[Category:Common terms]]