Can Brussels stop websites from tricking shoppers into spending more?

The proposal comes from Brussels, where the Commission has put forward EU-wide rules against dark patterns, the designs that steer shoppers into choices they did not intend.

According to RTE, more than 80% of popular e-commerce sites and apps contain manipulative tactics. The draft targets specific practices, such as fake claims that a product is almost sold out.

Under the proposal, cancelling a contract must not be significantly harder than signing up. The Commission estimates savings of up to 13.7 billion euros a year. But not yet: Parliament and the Council of Member States must still deliberate on the text before Brussels can stop the tricks.