Dark patterns

Dark patterns

Structures that deliver their claimed effect but violate ethics or values — listed so organisations can recognise and refuse them.

9 of 9 entries

Surveillance as Accountability

Total visibility substitutes for traceable commitment — and it works, until it doesn't

Metric Substitution

The metric becomes the mission — and hitting the number works, until the system hollows out

Consent Theatre

Legal consent is collected — and compliance is achieved — without meaningful choice or understanding

Segmented Messaging

Incompatible or asymmetric substance delivered to different parties — coordination prevented by design

Speak-Up Theatre

Psychological safety is proclaimed — retaliation, forced alignment, and hollow channels remain

PIP for "Negativity"

Formal performance warnings for people who raise concerns — retaliation dressed as HR process

Publication Over Provenance

Careers and grants reward the claim while the reproducible chain is optional

Artifact Withholding

Code, data, or environment deliberately kept unavailable — scrutiny avoided, moat preserved

Credible Commitment Theatre

Public posture of resolve or certainty that overstates internal epistemic status — strategic effect by tier misrepresentation