Not all user-friendly interfaces are honest. Some are engineered to mislead, manipulate, or coerce users into actions they didn't intend. These are called dark patterns — and as designers, we have a responsibility to recognize and reject them.

Dark patterns can take many forms: hiding unsubscribe links, pre-selecting paid options, or using guilt-driven copy like “No thanks, I hate saving money.” They might boost short-term metrics, but they erode trust — and long-term, that trust is nearly impossible to rebuild.

I once worked on an e-commerce project where the client wanted to include a confusing opt-out checkbox for recurring billing. It technically wasn't illegal, but it was certainly unethical. We pushed back, explained the long-term consequences, and proposed a transparent alternative that still converted — but without tricking the user.

This post explores the most common dark patterns in modern digital products, their psychological mechanics, and how to design ethical alternatives that respect user agency. Whether you’re a designer, PM, or founder, it’s essential to know where the ethical line is — and how not to cross it.