Notendaáreiðsla

Notendaáreiðsla, often translated as user manipulation or deception, refers to tactics employed by designers or platforms to intentionally mislead users into making choices that are not in their best interest. These practices exploit human psychology and common user behaviors to achieve a desired outcome for the business, rather than the user.

The term was popularized by user experience designer Harry Brignull. Examples of notendaáreiðsla can be found across various digital interfaces. They might include making it difficult to cancel a subscription, tricking users into signing up for recurring payments, or hiding important information in small print. The intent is to make the user act in a way they might not if they were fully informed and free to choose.

Common tactics include disguised ads that look like regular content, forcing users to sign up for something they didn't intend to, or using confusing language to obscure unfavorable terms. Such practices erode user trust and can lead to frustration and negative experiences. While some forms of notendaáreiðsla exist in a legal gray area, many are considered unethical and can damage a company's reputation. Responsible design practices aim to be transparent and prioritize the user's well-being and autonomy.