Ever felt tricked by a website into buying something you didn't want? Congratulations – you've experienced a dark pattern. These manipulative design tactics are everywhere, from fake urgency timers to hidden costs and pre-checked boxes that cost you more than you intended.

In this session, we'll shine a spotlight on the shadowy side of UX design. We'll explore what dark patterns really are, why they're more than just "clever marketing," and what the EU is (finally!) starting to do about them.

You'll see real-world examples of the most common dark patterns in action – the ones that make users feel confused, frustrated, and betrayed. But here's the twist: we won't just complain about bad design. We'll talk about how to do better.

Because here's the thing: dark patterns might boost short-term metrics, but they destroy long-term trust. And trust is what keeps users coming back. Together, we'll look at practical alternatives that respect users while still achieving business goals – because ethical UX isn't just nice to have, it's a competitive advantage.

Walk away with a sharper eye for spotting manipulation, concrete examples to share with your team, and the confidence to advocate for honest design that actually works.

This session (45min talk) is aimed at product owners, marketers, and decision-makers who work with digital products – no UX background required.