# Europe wants to ban ‘dark patterns’ in apps and loot boxes for minors

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/europe-wants-to-ban-dark-patterns-in-apps-and-loot-boxes-for-minors/
- Published: 2026-11-11T14:29:03+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T14:48:30+00:00
- Original publisher: Engadget
- Original article: https://www.engadget.com/2313329/europe-wants-to-ban-dark-patterns-in-apps-and-loot-boxes-for-minors/
- Topics: Europe, Software, Technology, World

## Key points

- EU proposes new rules against manipulative online practices.
- Loot boxes and persistent prompts aimed at minors would be restricted.
- Companies could face fines of up to six per cent of annual revenue.

## Summary

The European Commission has proposed a Digital Fairness Act to curb online practices it says can exploit consumers, encourage overspending or harm children. The draft targets app and game design, advertising and subscriptions, and could expose companies that breach the rules to substantial fines.

The proposal would ban dark patterns such as hard-to-cancel subscriptions, require clearer online prices and increase transparency around influencer marketing. It would also restrict loot boxes and persistent prompts aimed at minors, and let consumers turn off design features that encourage excessive spending. The Commission wants greater power to investigate major cases directly, replacing some of the current patchwork of national enforcement.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.