EU Digital Fairness Act urged to curb online manipulation

The proposal targets tactics including endless feeds, difficult-to-cancel subscriptions and fake countdowns that encourage impulse purchases. The article argues these are deliberate design choices, not individual failings, and says the Digital Services Act does not fully address addictive design and dark patterns across all services and consumers. It cites a figure of 97 percent of the most popular apps and websites still using such practices.

The Socialists & Democrats set out five demands for the legislation: ban subscription traps, obstructive cancellation processes, misleading free trials, forced registration, fake alerts and checkout add-ons; restrict addictive features such as endless scrolling for adults as well as children; make influencers and the companies paying them accountable for promotions; prohibit manipulative pricing in transport, live entertainment, culture and sport; and ban loot boxes and pay-to-win systems in games.

On pricing, the authors argue that charges should not vary according to a customer’s background, personal data or phone battery level. They also call for limits in emergencies, when consumers may have little control over their circumstances. For influencers, they want commercial arrangements disclosed clearly and say those promoting illegal or fraudulent products should be personally responsible.

The article says fair and safe design by default would benefit consumers and honest businesses facing competitors that rely on manipulation. It also frames accountability for surveillance-based advertising, harmful content and addictive design as part of restoring Europe’s digital sovereignty. The authors say they will judge the proposed law by whether it makes online life safer, fairer and more affordable, and call on the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, to protect adults as well as children.