Warning consumer advocates: online games manipulate users!

Warning consumer advocates: online games manipulate users!

A current study by the Federal Consumer Center (VZBV) shows that many online games deliberately use manipulative practices on Android smartphones. In the analysis, five popular mobile games were examined to reveal the methods with which providers tempt players to buy virtual objects. The results of the study illustrate the non-transparent pricing and the use of tricks such as countdown-timers and rewards to encourage players to spend more time in the game.

These manipulations, also known as Dark Patterns, are deeply rooted in the design of the games. Consumer advice centers have found that children and adolescents in particular are excessively susceptible to these tactics, which can lead to undesirable expenses. Often, buying requests for children are even inadmissible, which increases the pressure on young players.

manipulative tactics and their effects

Manipulative designs, which are known as Dark Patterns, often not follow the interests of consumers, but that of the providers. These techniques use findings from behavioral psychology to persuade users to actions that serve their goals. The games often show prices in package prices or virtual currency, which means that the actual costs are not immediately recognizable. Pop-up windows during the game lure the players to buy and promote excessive playing.

In addition, mechanisms such as daily rewards and temporary offers are often integrated into the game mechanics. Push messages motivate players to return regularly to achieve advantages and thus intensify the feeling of responsibility towards the game. Such measures lead to a significant increase in the season and the associated expenses.

protective measures for consumers

To prevent unwanted expenses, the consumer advice centers recommend locking in-app purchases. Online instructions were also provided to help users make appropriate settings on Android and iOS devices. These steps are important to keep control of personal finances and to be protected from the most well-hidden manipulation techniques of the app providers.

The phenomenon of the Dark Patterns is not limited to game apps. These manipulative mechanisms can also be found on many websites and in other apps. The goal remains constant: to persuade users to actions that are in the interest of the provider, be it the purchase of products or the consent to data protection guidelines that they may not want to accept. One example is the frequent use of cookie banners in which the consent is highlighted in color and the rejection options are hidden.

The comprehensive analysis of the VZBV makes it clear that consumers should be vigilant, especially in the digital world, in which Dark Patterns are used more and more sophisticated. A deep understanding of these practices can help users make informed decisions and not to be carried away by unwanted purchases. The complete information is provided by the Consumer center and look , which give further insights into the mechanisms of these manipulations.

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