The European Data Protection Board adopted draft guidelines for public consultation on so-called “dark patterns” aimed at social media networks on 14 March 2022.

The term “dark pattern” refers to interfaces designed to influence the user into making unintended and potentially harmful decisions regarding the processing of their personal data.

The guidelines are structured around the main parts of a social media user's journey where they are likely to encounter dark patterns, e.g., during sign up, changing settings and closing their account. The guidelines contain the application of the key principles established in the GDPR and offer practical recommendations to designers and users of social media platforms on how to design user interfaces that facilitate the effective implementation of the GDPR.

The guidelines include examples of dark patterns and sets out best practices at the end of each use case. A checklist of dark pattern categories can also be found in the annex to the guidelines.

You can read the new guidelines here: https://edpb.europa.eu/system/files/2022-03/edpb_03-2022_guidelines_on_dark_patterns_in_social_media_platform_interfaces_en.pdf