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Dark patterns can be regulated by Japanese antitrust law, JFTC research arm says

( March 14, 2025, 08:17 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: The research arm of the Japan Fair Trade Commission said today that manipulative website designs, known as dark patterns, can be regulated not only by consumer protection laws but also by competition laws, including the Japanese Antimonopoly Act. The Competition Research Policy Center said at a seminar today that common dark practices, such as forced actions, interface interference, nagging, obstructing a cancellation and creating a false sense of urgency can be regulated by the Antimonopoly Act as deceptive consumer inducement or as unfair trade practices. These include interference with competitors’ transactions, tie-in sales and the abuse of a superior bargaining position, according to the CPRC. The statement, in Japanese, is attached....

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