Dark Pattern Scanner by Lensari

About

Dark Pattern Scanner by Lensari

Scans any webpage for 13 types of manipulative design tricks. Pre-checked boxes, fake urgency, trick wording, and more.

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Websites use dark patterns — manipulative design tricks — to push you into choices you didn't intend to make. Pre-checked boxes sign you up for things. Countdown timers create fake urgency. Hidden fees appear at checkout. Decline buttons shame you for saying no.

Dark Pattern Scanner makes these tricks visible.

HOW IT WORKS
Click the extension icon on any webpage and hit "Scan This Page." The scanner analyzes the page for manipulative patterns and shows you exactly what it found, with plain-language explanations of each trick.

Click any finding to scroll directly to the element on the page, with a highlight showing you exactly where it is.

WHAT IT DETECTS (13 CATEGORIES)
- Confirmshaming: Decline buttons that use guilt to manipulate your choice
- Forced continuity: Auto-renewal and trial-to-paid conversion buried in fine print
- Hidden costs: Fees and charges revealed late or displayed in small text
- Pre-checked opt-ins: Checkboxes already ticked for marketing or data sharing
- Fake urgency (text): "Only 2 left!", "Limited time!", "Selling fast!"
- Fake urgency (timers): Countdown timers that create artificial deadlines
- Roach motel: Easy to sign up, hard to cancel — deliberate cancellation friction
- Misdirection: "Recommended" and "Best Value" labels steering you to expensive options
- Trick wording: Double negatives and confusing opt-out language
- Privacy zuckering: Nudges pushing you to share unnecessary personal data
- Button asymmetry: Accept buttons designed to overpower decline buttons
- Hidden form fields: Invisible tracking inputs collecting data you didn't provide
- Sneaky defaults: Forms pre-set to the most expensive or most permissive option

PRIVACY FIRST
Everything runs locally in your browser. No data is collected, transmitted, or stored on any server. No account required. No tracking. No analytics.

Free. No limits. No gates.

Built by Lensari — lensari.ca