The Fair Trade Commission prepared specific interpretive standards for regulating "online dark patterns" under the e-commerce law. The move aims to prevent unfair practices, such as switching consumers to automatic payments without their knowledge or displaying prices opaquely.
On the 23rd, the Fair Trade Commission said it newly presented detailed standards for dark pattern regulations and recommendations for businesses through the revised "Guidelines on Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce," which take effect on the 24th. The revision was prepared to clarify the scope of the law's application and reduce cases in which businesses violate the rules because they are unaware of them.
First, regarding "hidden renewals," it made clear that when regular payment amounts increase or a free trial switches to a paid plan, businesses must obtain separate explicit consent from consumers. Blanket consent at the time of the initial contract is not recognized, and if payments are switched without consent, the business must take necessary measures, such as automatic cancellation.
In addition, regarding "drip pricing," it requires that the total price, including taxes, fees, and shipping, be clearly displayed on the first screen of product purchase. It also cited concrete examples of representative prohibited types of user interface manipulation, such as "preselected specific options," "misleading hierarchy," "nagging," and "obstruction of cancellation or withdrawal."
It also recommended desirable improvements for acts that are not explicitly prohibited under the e-commerce law but could mislead consumers. For example, when prices vary depending on conditions, this must be clearly disclosed, and when providing additional selectable items, consumers must be informed whether there will be additional costs. It also included that cancel or withdrawal buttons should be placed in a prominent location.
A Fair Trade Commission official said, "With this guideline revision, we will improve businesses' understanding of the law and create an environment where consumers can be protected from dark patterns."