Dark Pattern Detector

About

**Dark Pattern Detector — Protect Yourself from Deceptive UI**

Are you tired of being tricked by manipulative website designs? Dark Pattern Detector is a free, privacy-first Chrome extension that automatically identifies deceptive UI/UX patterns on websites in real-time — helping you make informed decisions without being manipulated.

**What Are Dark Patterns?**

Dark patterns are user interface designs deliberately crafted to trick you into doing things you didn't intend — like subscribing to a service, adding unwanted items to your cart, or making it nearly impossible to cancel. They exploit cognitive biases and are increasingly being regulated by governments worldwide (EU Digital Services Act, FTC, GDPR, Korea 전자상거래법).

**Key Features:**

🔍 **Real-Time Page Scanning**
Automatically scans web pages as you browse. Detects deceptive patterns instantly without slowing down your experience.

🛡️ **8 Detection Modules**
- Hidden Cancel/Unsubscribe Buttons — Finds buttons intentionally made hard to see or click
- Fake Countdown Timers — Detects timers that reset on page reload
- Pre-checked Checkboxes — Spots sneaky opt-ins near payment areas
- Confirmshaming — Identifies guilt-tripping language on opt-out buttons
- Fake Urgency — Catches "Only X left!" and "Y people viewing" claims
- Trick Wording — Detects confusing double negatives and misleading text
- Sneaky Cart Additions — Monitors for auto-added items at checkout
- Hard-to-Close Popups — Finds popups with hidden or tiny close buttons

📊 **Trust Score**
Each website receives a trust score (0–100) based on the number and severity of detected patterns. Instantly see how trustworthy a site is.

🎯 **Visual Overlay Highlights**
Detected dark patterns are highlighted directly on the page with color-coded borders:
- 🔴 Red = High severity
- 🟡 Yellow = Medium severity
- 🟢 Green = Low severity

Click any highlight to see a detailed explanation of the pattern.

📋 **Popup Dashboard**
View a summary of all detected patterns on the current page — organized by type and severity. One-click scanning and quick access to settings.

🌐 **Multi-Language Support**
Available in English and Korean (한국어). All UI text, pattern descriptions, and alerts are fully localized.

⚙️ **Customizable Settings**
- Toggle auto-scan on/off
- Adjust detection sensitivity
- Enable/disable individual detectors
- Show/hide page overlay highlights

🔒 **Privacy First**
All analysis happens locally in your browser. No data is collected, no data is sent to any server. Your browsing activity stays completely private.

☕ **Free & Community-Driven**
Dark Pattern Detector is completely free. If you find it useful, consider supporting the project at buymeacoffee.com/addios4u.

**Who Is This For?**
- Online shoppers who want to avoid being tricked
- Privacy-conscious users
- Consumer rights advocates
- UX researchers studying dark patterns
- Anyone who believes in transparent, honest design

**Why Install Dark Pattern Detector?**
Every day, millions of users are manipulated by deceptive design. This extension puts the power back in your hands by making invisible tricks visible. Stay informed, stay protected.