Hidden Fees, Digital Services Act, and Dark Patterns in Armenia

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. Washington D.C. Attorney General Sues StubHub for Hidden Fees
   The Attorney General of Washington, D.C. has filed a lawsuit against StubHub, alleging the use of dark patterns in the form of hidden 'Fulfillment and Service' fees revealed only at checkout. This practice, known as drip pricing, misleads consumers by initially advertising low prices that escalate due to undisclosed fees.
   ➡ Key details:
   • StubHub reportedly generated $118 million in hidden fees from D.C. consumers.
   • Even with an 'Include Estimated Fees' option, full transparency remains elusive.
     
     This case highlights the need for greater accountability in online ticketing platforms. Read more here
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2. TikTok Lite Withdraws Rewards Programme to Comply with the Digital Services Act
   The European Commission has closed its formal proceedings against TikTok Lite after the platform committed to permanently withdrawing its Rewards Programme in the EU to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA).
   ➡ Highlights of this case:
   
   TikTok’s commitments are now legally binding, and any breach will directly violate the DSA.
   This marks the first closed case under the DSA, within just 105 days of proceedings.
   
   The ruling demonstrates the strength of the DSA in ensuring fairness and compliance from major platforms. Read more here‍
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1. Armenia’s Competition Protection Commission Fines Globbing for Misleading Practices
   The Competition Protection Commission of Armenia fined Global Shipping (Globbing) 53 million drams ($130,000) for unfair competition and misleading consumers.
   ➡ Findings of the investigation:

1. 26% of air shipments from China failed to meet promised delivery times.
2. The company used dark patterns on its website to hide these delays from consumers.
3. Insights were gathered from international authorities in Georgia and Poland to inform the investigation.
   
   This case highlights the global focus on combating deceptive practices and ensuring consumer rights. Read more here

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Conclusion:

From hidden fees in ticketing to compliance breakthroughs under the Digital Services Act, this week’s updates highlight the continued global efforts to combat deceptive practices and promote fairness online.

At Fairpatterns, we’re proud to support organizations in building ethical and user-friendly digital experiences. Let’s continue championing fairness in the digital world. Have a fantastic week with Fair Monday!