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Click here or on the photo above to view and download the video from today’s hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee today focused on data privacy, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) highlighted legislation she has introduced with Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) to stop the use of “dark patterns.” These manipulative user interfaces intentionally limit understanding to trick consumers into handing over their personal data, such as contacts, messages, browsing activity, photos, or location information without even realizing it.
 
The senators’ bill, the Deceptive Experiences To Online Users Reduction (DETOUR) Act, seeks to curb dark pattern behavior by prohibiting the largest online platforms (those with over 100 million monthly active users) from relying on these user interfaces that intentionally impair user autonomy, decision-making, or choice.
 
The witnesses at today’s hearing included: Ms. Helen Dixon, Data Protection Commissioner, Republic of Ireland; Ms. Neema Singh Guliani, Senior Legislative Counsel, American Civil Liberties Union; Mr. Jules Polonetsky, Chief Executive Officer, Future of Privacy Forum; Mr. Jim Steyer, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Common Sense Media. Common Sense Media has endorsed the DETOUR Act.

Click here to read more about the DETOUR Act.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

Click here to read more about the DETOUR Act in Axios.

 

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