EU proposes rules to curb manipulative online sales tactics

The European Commission has proposed new rules to stop online shops from using misleading sales tactics, hidden costs and features designed to encourage extra spending. The proposals would give consumers more control over certain shopping-platform features and restrict the use of gambling-style mechanics to influence children.

One proposal would ban “dark patterns” that pressure people into buying something. The Commission cites shops falsely claiming that a product is nearly sold out as an example.

It also wants consumers to be able to switch off potentially addictive features, such as pop-up notifications prompting further purchases and videos that play automatically. Shops would be barred from targeting minors with gambling-style features, including virtual treasure chests whose contents are unknown.

These are proposals from the Commission, not rules already in force. The announcement does not set out when the changes might take effect.