EU rolls out Digital Fairness Act curbing dark patterns affecting Duolingo, Strava, Ticketmaster

The European Union today rolls out a new Digital Fairness Act targeting manipulative design across online services, pulling in Duolingo, Strava, and Ticketmaster, according to Wired. The rules land amid pressure to rein in dark patterns that steer users toward engagement, purchases, or data sharing without clear consent or privacy safeguards. They matter now for millions who rely on gamified learning, fitness tracking, and ticketing apps that shape daily choices across the bloc.

Wired reports the law will require options to turn off features like winning streaks and force influencers to clearly disclose paid promotions, with platforms expected to audit interfaces and tighten consent and transparency. Watch for compliance timelines, product changes to streaks and ad labels, and early investigations testing how broadly the act applies. [Developing. This article will be updated.]