A dark design pattern is a manipulative and deceptive technique used in user interface design to trick or coerce individuals into taking actions that benefit the designer at the expense of the user’s best interests. These patterns often exploit psychological vulnerabilities and play on human emotions, such as fear, guilt, or FOMO (fear of missing out), to influence user behavior. They can be found in various forms, such as hidden fees, confusing opt-in/opt-out options, or misleading language, and are designed to intentionally mislead or confuse users. Dark design patterns are unethical and can erode trust between users and designers, ultimately leading to a negative user experience.