Yazılar

Shein Faces EU Complaint Over ‘Dark Patterns’ in Online Sales Tactics

/in /tarafından

Pan-European consumer group BEUC has filed a formal complaint with the European Commission against fast-fashion giant Shein, accusing the online retailer of using manipulative design techniques—commonly known as “dark patterns”—to push consumers into buying more on its app and website.

According to BEUC’s report, Shein employs a variety of aggressive tactics, including pop-ups that warn users they may lose discounts if they leave the app, countdown timers that pressure customers to complete purchases quickly, and infinite scrolling that keeps shoppers continuously engaged. BEUC argues that these techniques encourage overconsumption and may violate EU consumer protection laws.

The organization also highlighted the excessive notifications sent by the Shein app, with one example showing a single phone receiving 12 push notifications in one day. BEUC Director General Agustin Reyna stated, “For fast fashion you need to have volume, you need to have mass consumption, and these dark patterns are designed to stimulate mass consumption.”

Reyna added that a satisfactory resolution would require Shein to remove these manipulative features, though he questioned whether the company has sufficient incentive to alter practices that drive sales volume.

Shein Responds, Tensions Remain

In response, Shein said it is cooperating with EU regulators: “We are already working constructively with national consumer authorities and the EU Commission to demonstrate our commitment to complying with EU laws and regulations.” The company also expressed frustration that BEUC had declined its request for a meeting.

Shein’s success in Europe has been fueled by its highly engaging app experience, which incorporates gamification elements. For instance, its “Puppy Keep” game allows users to care for a virtual dog and earn reward points redeemable for free items. These points accumulate through daily log-ins, frequent scrolling, and purchases—further driving customer engagement and sales.

Broader Industry Under Scrutiny

BEUC’s complaint extends beyond Shein, calling on European consumer protection authorities to investigate similar practices across the broader fast-fashion industry. “Dark patterns are widely used by mass-market clothing retailers,” BEUC noted, urging regulators to expand their inquiry.

A total of 25 BEUC member organizations from 21 countries, including France, Germany, and Spain, have joined the complaint filed with the European Commission and the EU consumer protection network.

This latest action follows a separate warning issued by the European Commission last month, which notified Shein that some of its practices breach EU consumer law. The Commission warned that Shein faces potential fines if it fails to address these concerns.

Increasing Regulatory Pressure

In addition to consumer protection concerns, Shein is also under investigation by EU tech regulators for its compliance with online content rules as part of the bloc’s broader push to tighten oversight on major digital platforms.

Shein’s rival Temu, another rapidly growing discount platform, has also been targeted by BEUC for similar dark pattern practices.

Apple Clarifies Siri Privacy After $95 Million Settlement

/in /tarafından

Apple has clarified its stance on Siri’s privacy practices following a $95 million settlement in a class action lawsuit that accused the company of recording private conversations after unintentional activations of its voice assistant. The lawsuit alleged that these conversations were then shared with third parties, including advertisers.

Apple denied the claims, stating that it has never sold or used Siri data to build marketing profiles. The company emphasized that no data was shared for advertising purposes, and no audio recordings were retained unless users explicitly consented to improve Siri’s performance. As part of the settlement, Apple agreed to pay up to $20 per device to affected users of Siri-enabled devices like iPhones and Apple Watches.

The company clarified that certain Siri features do require real-time data input from Apple servers to function correctly, but it uses the minimum amount of data necessary. Apple also reiterated its commitment to enhancing privacy features for Siri in the future.

This settlement comes amid ongoing legal scrutiny, including a similar lawsuit involving Google’s Voice Assistant, which is currently pending in federal court in California.

 

Apple Fights $1.8 Billion App Store Lawsuit in Landmark UK Class Action Case

/in /tarafından

Apple is defending itself against a mass lawsuit in the United Kingdom that accuses the company of abusing its dominant market position by charging app developers a 30% commission on App Store transactions. The case, heard at London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, seeks up to £1.5 billion ($1.8 billion) in compensation for approximately 20 million iPhone and iPad users in the UK, who were allegedly overcharged for app purchases.

Allegations of Monopoly Practices

Rachael Kent, a British academic spearheading the lawsuit, claims Apple has generated “exorbitant profits” by maintaining a “100% monopoly” over app distribution and in-app purchases on its iOS platform. Kent’s legal team argues that Apple’s restrictive terms for developers and its high commission fees ultimately inflate costs borne by consumers. Lawyer Mark Hoskins, representing Kent, stated in court filings that Apple’s practices have stifled competition and innovation in the app ecosystem.

Apple’s Defense

Apple, however, contends that the lawsuit is meritless, arguing that the commission reflects the benefits provided by its iOS ecosystem, which prioritizes security, privacy, and seamless integration. The company claims that 85% of app developers using its platform do not pay any commission and accuses the lawsuit of disregarding its intellectual property rights. Marie Demetriou, Apple’s lawyer, argued that the demand for Apple to allow developers free use of its technology constitutes an “expropriation of property rights masquerading as competition.”

Broader Implications

This lawsuit marks the first class action-style case against a tech giant to reach trial under Britain’s evolving legal regime for collective redress. The case could set a precedent, as other major lawsuits targeting Google, Meta, and Amazon are waiting to be heard. Google is also facing a similar $1.1 billion case over its Play Store commissions in 2025.

Upcoming Testimonies and Trial Details

The trial is expected to last seven weeks, with testimony from Apple’s Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh scheduled later this week. The case comes amid increasing regulatory scrutiny of tech giants in both the U.S. and Europe over practices perceived as anti-competitive, especially concerning fees charged to third-party developers.

What’s at Stake?

If the tribunal rules against Apple, it could not only lead to significant financial penalties but also force the company to revise its App Store policies. Such an outcome could have a ripple effect across the tech industry, influencing how other platforms like Google Play Store operate globally.