Policy5 sources
Loot boxes, influencers, and addictive features face an EU crackdown
The Verge · By Jess Weatherbed ·
The Brief · written from 5 sources
- The European Commission introduced the proposed Digital Fairness Act on 2026-11-11 to curb addictive design and manipulative dark patterns online.
- The proposal targets practices that push people to spend more time and money online, including loot boxes for minors and winning-streak mechanics.
- Influencers would be required to disclose when they are being paid, according to Wired's coverage of the proposal.
Why it matters
If adopted, the rules would change how apps, games, social media and e-commerce platforms can design engagement and purchase flows for users in the EU, with large fines for non-compliance.
Who’s affected
- Companies running apps, games, social media or e-commerce platforms serving EU users
- Game developers using loot boxes or similar mechanics
- Influencer marketers operating in the EU
- #eu-regulation
- #dark-patterns
- #digital-fairness-act
- #consumer-protection
- #addictive-design
Gaming, social media, and e-commerce platforms are facing a fresh wave of sweeping European Union rules that aim to make "your online experience fairer." The newly proposed Digital Fairness Act (DFA) published by the EU Commission on Wednesday is designed to tackle practices that…
Timeline
European Commission published the proposed Digital Fairness Act
Bloomberg Technology
EU Targets Social Media Addiction and Online ‘Dark Patterns’
Techmeme
The European Commission introduces the Digital Fairness Act, which aims to curb addictive design features and manipulative "dark patterns" or face large fines (Gian Volpicelli/Bloomberg)
Business Latest
Duolingo, Strava, and Ticketmaster Are All Caught Up in EU’s New Digital Fairness Rules
Engadget - Technology News & Expert Reviews
Europe wants to ban 'dark patterns' in apps and loot boxes for minors
Tech | The Verge
Loot boxes, influencers, and addictive features face an EU crackdown
Full coverage · 5 sources
- 2h ago ↗
Tech | The Verge
Loot boxes, influencers, and addictive features face an EU crackdown
- 5h ago ↗
Engadget - Technology News & Expert Reviews
Europe wants to ban 'dark patterns' in apps and loot boxes for minors - 6h ago ↗
Business Latest
Duolingo, Strava, and Ticketmaster Are All Caught Up in EU’s New Digital Fairness Rules - 8h ago ↗
- 9h ago ↗
Bloomberg Technology
EU Targets Social Media Addiction and Online ‘Dark Patterns’