Choice Architectures in the Digital Economy: Towards a New Understanding of Digital Vulnerability
Abstract
In the digital economy, consumer vulnerability is not simply a vantage point from which to assess some consumers’ lack of ability to activate their awareness of persuasion. Instead, digital vulnerability describes a universal state of defencelessness and susceptibility to (the exploitation of) power imbalances that are the result of the increasing automation of commerce, datafied consumer–seller relations, and the very architecture of digital marketplaces. Digital vulnerability, we argue, is architectural, relational, and data-driven. Based on our concept of digital vulnerability, we demonstrate how and why using digital technology to render consumers vulnerable is the epitome of an unfair digital commercial practice.
Links
dark patterns, data-driven marketing strategies, digital marketplaces, manipulation, Platforms, unfair commercial practices, vulnerability
Bibtex
Article{nokey,
title = {Choice Architectures in the Digital Economy: Towards a New Understanding of Digital Vulnerability},
author = {Helberger, N. and Sax, M. and Strycharz, J. and Micklitz, H.-W.},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10603-021-09500-5},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-021-09500-5},
year = {0524},
date = {2022-05-24},
journal = {Journal of Consumer Policy},
volume = {45},
issue = {2},
pages = {175-200},
abstract = {In the digital economy, consumer vulnerability is not simply a vantage point from which to assess some consumers’ lack of ability to activate their awareness of persuasion. Instead, digital vulnerability describes a universal state of defencelessness and susceptibility to (the exploitation of) power imbalances that are the result of the increasing automation of commerce, datafied consumer–seller relations, and the very architecture of digital marketplaces. Digital vulnerability, we argue, is architectural, relational, and data-driven. Based on our concept of digital vulnerability, we demonstrate how and why using digital technology to render consumers vulnerable is the epitome of an unfair digital commercial practice.},
keywords = {dark patterns, data-driven marketing strategies, digital marketplaces, manipulation, Platforms, unfair commercial practices, vulnerability},
}