Resisting the 'Matrix': Perceptions of Manipulative Designs Among Vulnerable Users
Lorena Sánchez Chamorro · Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction · 2025
Scholars and policymakers are increasingly interested in designing interventions to mitigate harms associated to manipulative designs - so-called ''dark patterns''. However, the experiences of those who are more likely to suffer harms - i.e. users in positions of vulnerability - remain understudied. This work presents an interview study to understand how users in situations of vulnerability perceive and resist manipulative designs (N=19). The findings explain how participants normalised the presence of manipulative designs, how socio-technical aspects mediate interactions with these designs, and their resistance strategies. Lastly, this paper discusses the relationship between socio-digital inequalities and vulnerability to manipulative designs, providing directions for further research to tackle vulnerability by design.