The European Parliament's resolution on the Addictive Design of Online Services calls for urgent action to address the manipulative and addictive features embedded in many digital services. These features exploit psychological vulnerabilities to maximize user engagement, often leading to negative impacts on physical and mental health, particularly among vulnerable groups such as minors. The resolution emphasizes the need for regulatory updates, specifically targeting dark patterns, infinite scrolling, autoplay, and constant notifications, which contribute to problematic internet usage. The Parliament urges the European Commission to assess existing gaps in EU consumer law, including the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, to better protect consumers from these harmful practices. It also highlights the importance of fostering ethical design practices, promoting user autonomy, and ensuring that digital environments prioritize user well-being over profit-driven engagement strategies. The resolution encourages collaboration between lawmakers, industry, and civil society to tackle the growing public health concerns associated with addictive digital interfaces.

Final Resolution

Summary - Press Release - 12/12/2023

Committee Responsible: Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Rapporteur: Kim VAN SPARRENTAK