Digital Deception and the Illusion of Choice: How Dark Patterns Undermine Informed Consent GDPR

Abstract

Our investigation builds on prior research to examine global e-commerce data privacy, focusing on compliance with GDPR and CCPA laws introduced in 2018 and 2020. This study reveals uneven adherence to GDPR and CCPA regulations across e-commerce platforms, underscoring the persistent use of dark patterns. UK and French sites lead in GDPR compliance at 85% and 80%, while U.S. sites showed 65% adherence to CCPA. Turkish websites displayed a surprising 85% - 95% compliance with European standards. In contrast, South African platforms showed a low 30% compliance, often utilizing implicit consent methods. These findings expose significant gaps and inconsistencies in the application of data privacy laws across continents and nations. We advocate for a global standardization of data protection regulations to protect consumers and create a level playing field for businesses in the digital marketplace.