# The Dark Side of Augmented Reality: Exploring Manipulative Designs in AR

**Authors:** Xian Wang, Lik-Hang Lee, Carlos Bermejo Fernandez, Pan Hui  
**arXiv:** [2303.02843](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.02843)  
**Date:** 2023-03-06  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/arxiv-id/2303.02843v2/

## Key points

- Augmented Reality (AR) applications, like Pokemon GO, are popular in the mobile environment
- Dark patterns are deceptive techniques used to manipulate users in immersive and mixed reality environments
- Scenario construction was used to develop prototypes and investigate potential future approaches of dark patterns in AR
- A user study using VR mockups analyzed the effects of dark patterns in AR scenarios
- Dark patterns were found to be effective in immersive scenarios, with "haptic grabbing" successfully capturing participants' attention and influencing their movements
- The study highlights the impact of malicious techniques in AR environments and discusses possible mitigation strategies
- Ethical design practices and user protection measures are needed to safeguard individuals from falling victim to deceptive tactics while using AR applications.

## Summary

Augmented Reality (AR) applications, such as Pokemon GO, are increasingly popular in the mobile environment. However, these immersive and mixed reality environments can also be exploited by malicious techniques known as dark patterns. Dark patterns are deceptive techniques designed to manipulate users into providing personal information or making certain behavioral decisions. To address this gap, the authors of this study used scenario construction to develop prototypes and investigate potential future approaches that dark patterns could take in AR. They conducted a user study using VR mockups to analyze the effects of dark patterns in AR scenarios. The findings revealed that dark patterns were effective in immersive scenarios, and novel techniques like "haptic grabbing" were successful in capturing participants' attention and influencing their movements. The study highlights the impact of malicious techniques in AR environments and discusses possible mitigation strategies. By shedding light on the manipulative designs present in AR applications, this research contributes to a better understanding of the potential risks associated with these technologies. It emphasizes the need for ethical design practices and user protection measures to safeguard individuals from falling victim to deceptive tactics while using AR applications.