Amazon Fined in Poland, Meta’s Pay or Consent Model, and Australia’s Proposed Ban on Unfair Trade Practices

Introduction:

Welcome to Fair Monday! We know Mondays can be a bit rough, so we created Fair Monday to bring you weekly insights and resources on dark patterns and digital fairness. Each Monday, we share updates on the latest developments, helping you stay informed and empowered to create a fairer, more transparent digital space.

This Week's Highlights:

1. Amazon Fined for Dark Patterns in Poland
   On March 27, 2024, Amazon was fined nearly $8 million by Poland's consumer protection authority for using dark patterns and misleading practices. Key issues included:
   • Creating a false sense of urgency around product availability and delivery dates.
   • Misleading consumers about sales contract terms at the moment of purchase.
   • Failing to clearly communicate delivery guarantee rules.
     This case highlights the ongoing challenges of transparency in e-commerce platforms.
     Read more
2. Meta Under Investigation for Pay or Consent Model
   On March 25, 2024, the European Commission launched proceedings against Meta to evaluate its “pay or consent” model under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Concerns center around whether Meta’s binary choice offers a genuine alternative for users who opt out of consent, potentially contradicting the DMA’s objectives to limit gatekeeper dominance in personal data collection.
   Learn more
3. Australia’s Proposed Ban on Unfair Trade Practices
   In August 2023, the Australian government released a proposal to prohibit unfair trade practices, with specific references to dark patterns, hard-to-cancel subscriptions, and click-wrap consents for tracking and data collection. The proposal, which seeks input from the public, aims to modernize Australian law to address deceptive online practices across the economy. The outcome is expected to be shared later this year.
   Read more

Podcast Spotlight:

🎙️ Don’t miss our latest podcast episode featuring Harry Brignull, where we discuss the future of the fight against manipulation in online environments. Listen now

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Conclusion:

From Amazon’s fine in Poland to Meta’s investigation under the DMA and Australia’s forward-thinking proposals, these updates underscore the global need for vigilance and action against dark patterns. At Fairpatterns, we’re dedicated to promoting transparency, user empowerment, and digital fairness worldwide.

Let’s keep working together to make the digital world a better, fairer place. Have a fantastic start to your week with Fair Monday!