BeReal, the candid photo-sharing app popular with Gen Z, is under fire for its approach to user consent regarding ad tracking. A privacy rights group in Europe, noyb, has filed a complaint against BeReal, alleging the app employs "dark patterns" – manipulative design tactics – to pressure users into accepting tracking.
What Happened?
Shifting Landscape: Following BeReal's acquisition by French mobile games publisher Voodoo in 2024, the app altered how it requests user consent for tracking.
The Contentious Pop-Up: The new consent banner presents a seemingly straightforward choice: accept or decline tracking.
Unequal Experience: The crux of the complaint lies in what transpires after users interact with the banner. Those who refuse tracking are bombarded with daily pop-ups when attempting to post, while those who accept are left undisturbed.
Why is This a Problem?
Dark Patterns and GDPR Concerns: Noyb argues this tactic constitutes a dark pattern designed to manipulate user decisions and ultimately coerce them into consenting, violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) principle of "freely given" consent.
GDPR and Continuous Prompting: The European Data Protection Board's 2022 guidance on dark patterns in social media interfaces specifically warns against "continuous prompting" tactics. This practice repeatedly asks users for consent, potentially leading them to relent out of frustration.
What Does noyb Want?
Compliance with GDPR: Noyb has filed the complaint with CNIL, the French data protection watchdog. They seek an order compelling BeReal to revamp its consent flow to comply with GDPR's freely given consent standard.
Data Deletion and Potential Fines: Additionally, noyb requests the deletion of data collected since implementing the dark pattern and urges CNIL to impose a fine on BeReal.
What are Dark Patterns?
Dark patterns are design elements strategically employed to manipulate user behavior and influence their choices. They often exploit psychological biases and create a sense of urgency or confusion to steer users towards a specific action, such as accepting tracking in this case.
The Importance of User Privacy
User privacy is a paramount concern in today's data-driven world. When users grant consent for tracking, they allow the app to collect information about their online activity, potentially for targeted advertising and data analysis. Transparency and user control over personal data are crucial.
What Can Users Do?
Scrutinize Consent Requests: Be wary of consent pop-ups that appear unbalanced or employ pressure tactics.
Read Privacy Policies: Take the time to understand an app's privacy policy to gain insights into data collection practices.
Consider Alternatives: Explore privacy-focused alternatives to mainstream social media platforms.
The Future of BeReal and Data Privacy
The outcome of the complaint against BeReal will be closely watched. It could set a precedent for how social media platforms handle user consent for tracking in the European Union (EU) and potentially influence regulations elsewhere.
Conclusion
BeReal's alleged use of dark patterns highlights the ongoing battle for user privacy online. Understanding these tactics and advocating for clear, user-centric consent practices are essential steps towards protecting personal data and fostering a more trustworthy online environment.
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