Signing up for a subscription is easy. Unsubscribing sometimes takes more than 10 clicks, requiring a consumer to jump a variety of overwhelming hoops. Both visible and invisible elements of online user interface design have a strong impact on a consumer’s choices. Sometimes a website is designed to the consumer’s detriment, leading them to make decisions that do not represent their intentions, causing them financial or other harm. On the other hand, choice architecture can serve to slow down decision-making, allowing a consumer to more carefully consider their actions before making a purchase or agreeing to terms.

Policy-makers are grappling with the distinction between acceptable, helpful, and harmful choice architecture. The upcoming EU Digital Fairness Fitness Check will present the Commission’s findings on the suitability of EU consumer law for dealing with this question and potential next steps for EU legislation.

In their recent CERRE publication, Research Fellows Christoph Busch and Amelia Fletcher delve into the topic of harmful choice architecture and delineate 10 principles which should inform further regulatory intervention. Join us to discuss these principles and how to best target the needs and interests of the different players in digital ecosystems.

On June 25, between 12:30 and 13:45 CEST, will be accompanied by representatives from European institutions, national regulators, industry players, and the CERRE academic team to closely examine the question of harmful online choice architecture.