Republic of Korea: Fair Trade Commission adopted amendments to enforcement decree and rules of Act on consumer protection in electronic commerce to tackle deceptive patterns

On 10 February 2025, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) adopted amendments to the enforcement decree and rules of the Act on consumer protection in electronic commerce to tackle deceptive practices, also referred to as dark patterns. Dark patterns are deceptive design tactics used in websites and apps to trick users into taking actions they did not intend to, including making purchases or sharing personal data. The amendments mandate that businesses notify and obtain consumer consent at least 30 days before any price increases or free-to-paid conversions in subscription services. They also prohibit pre-selected options during purchases and restrict repeated attempts to alter consumer decisions, with a 7-day opt-out window. Violations will result in corrective measures, business suspensions, or fines, with stricter penalties for repeat offenders. The amendments aim to protect consumers from misleading practices.