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As a technical term, Dark Patterns serves ok, but I think people need to be clear that what this is abusive software.

I have wondered about the merits of creating some sort of ethical software charter which companies can adhere to or face questions as to why they do not adhere.

I feel like this should exist already but I am not aware of such a thing.



You don't even need a whole charter. You can just ask yourself "am I acting like an abusive partner?"

* I want to know everything about you and who you talk to (privacy violations)

* I can do whatever I want without your say-so (disrespecting user agency)

* You can't leave me (vendor lock-in)

Unfortunately, this is business as usual in tech.


Like doctors have the Hippocratic Oath, developers should have some kind of professional code of ethics that they sign on to and can use to push back against these terrible projects. We shouldn't get to just shrug our shoulders and deflect with "business as usual."


> ethical software charter [...] I feel like this should exist already but I am not aware of such a thing.

Not in the current timeline, I am afraid. Neither ethical, nor secure, nor accountable in any way.




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