ICO and CMA: Harmful online design encourages consumers to hand over personal information

News Data protection English Statements & Speeches

Date: 9th Aug, 2023 Source: Information Commissioner's Office Country: United Kingdom Original Source

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Summary:

The document highlights the importance of website design practices being transparent and fair, as subtle tactics can lead to consumers unknowingly surrendering their personal information. It emphasizes the potential harm these practices can cause, such as the bombardment of targeted ads to individuals with gambling problems. The article encourages consumers to be aware of these tactics and make informed choices, and warns businesses that designing websites in an unfair and dishonest manner could lead to enforcement action from the ICO. Additionally, it stresses the importance of allowing consumers to choose what data they share and making informed decisions, promoting privacy and competition.

â€œSome of these design practices are so subtle and have gone on for so long, you wouldnâ€™t even realise youâ€™re handing over your personal information until itâ€™s too late â€“ and itâ€™s possible these techniques are embedded into thousands of websites across the UK.

â€œThese website design tricks can have real and negative impacts on consumersâ€™ lives. For example, if someone is recovering from a gambling problem, being steered to â€˜accept allâ€™ cookies can mean being continually bombarded with betting adverts, which could be incredibly harmful.

â€œWe want to make consumers aware of these potentially harmful techniques to help them protect their data online â€“ and, if necessary, make informed choices about which websites they choose to frequent.

â€œBusinesses should take note that if they deliberately and persistently choose to design their websites in an unfair and dishonest way, the ICO will not hesitate to take necessary enforcement action.â€

â€œOnline, people routinely hand out their contact details, transaction history and even more sensitive personal data in exchange for â€˜freeâ€™ things whereas, in person, they might be more likely to turn such deals down. People must be able to choose the data they share and make informed decisions, which is good for privacy and competition. Businesses that stand in the way of that risk action from the CMA or ICO.â€

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Summary:

Title: Unfair Website Design Techniques Undermine Consumer Data Protection

The provided document highlights the importance of consumers being aware of subtle website design practices that can compromise their personal data. These practices, which are often embedded into thousands of websites across the UK, can have negative impacts on consumers’ lives. For instance, websites may use design tricks to steer users towards accepting cookies that can lead to an invasion of personal space, such as being bombarded with betting adverts, which can be harmful for individuals recovering from gambling problems.

The author emphasizes the need for consumers to be informed about these potentially harmful techniques to protect their data online and make informed choices about which websites they visit. Additionally, the document warns businesses that deliberately designing their websites in an unfair and dishonest manner can lead to enforcement action from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Moreover, the document stresses the importance of consumers being able to choose the data they share and make informed decisions, which is crucial for privacy and competition. However, businesses that hinder this effectiveness risk action from both the ICO and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Overall, the summary highlights the need for awareness about unfair website design practices and the importance of consumers being able to exercise control over their personal data online.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unfair website design practices can compromise consumer personal data.
2. These practices are often embedded into thousands of websites across the UK.
3. Consumers should be aware of these techniques to protect their data online.
4. Businesses that deliberately design their websites in an unfair manner can face enforcement action.
5. Consumers should be able to choose the data they share and make informed decisions to protect privacy and competition.

Information Commissioner's Office

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ICO and CMA: Harmful online design encourages consumers to hand over personal information

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