Republic of Korea: Adopted FTC Guidelines on Online Dark Pattern Self-Regulation

On 31 July 2023, the Korean Fair Trade Commission (FTC) published the “Guidelines on Online Dark Pattern Self-Regulation” aiming to ensure that the design and operation of interfaces allow consumers to clearly understand transaction conditions and make informed decisions according to their preferences. In particular, the Guidelines classify online dark patterns into 4 categories and 19 specific types and provide recommendations on how online businesses should create consumer-friendly interfaces to ensure transparency in online transactions. Furthermore, the Guidelines include recommendations for consumers regarding each type of dark pattern.