A draft EU Digital Fairness Act would let consumers turn off app features described as addictive and expose companies to fines of up to 6% of annual turnover in large-scale cases, AFP reported.
AFP said it had reviewed draft documents for the proposal. The European Commission had planned to present it Wednesday, Nov. 11, the report said.
The draft would prohibit online designs that lead users into purchases or account settings they did not intend to choose. Influencers’ promotional posts would need clear advertising labels. Games could not offer minors pay-to-win or pay-to-progress features, and in-game virtual currencies would have to show their value in real money.
Services would need to notify customers before a free trial expires, including the renewal date and price. Customers who ask would have to be able to reach a human customer-service representative. Sellers would also have to disclose an order’s full cost before checkout, addressing drip pricing, in which fees appear late in the purchase process.
AFP reported that EU officials and campaigners see gaps in consumer protections alongside existing rules on data protection, artificial intelligence and online content. EU consumer protection chief Michael McGrath has cited data showing that 97% of popular platforms use dark patterns.
Agustin Reyna of the European Consumer Organisation said the proposal could help consumers limit their online time and spending. Euroconsumers said effective enforcement would determine whether the protections work. Finance Watch said the draft’s safeguards against manipulative design in financial services lack ambition and warned that companies could still pay influencers to promote risky investments.
Separately, the European Commission’s investigations into TikTok, Facebook and Instagram have examined features including endless scrolling, autoplay and push notifications, EconoTimes previously reported.
