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Asshole Design (web edition) @infosec.pub coffeeClean @infosec.pub

Dark pattern used by Startpage to trick you into clicking ads

Calling out #Startpage for this sneaky malicious timing tactic:

  1. show results below invisible sponsored links
  2. inject sponsored links at the top and expand them ~⅓—½ of the screen height
  3. users trying to click on one of the first few non-sponsored links clicks on a sponsored link which quickly expands at a moment when it’s too late for users to stop themselves from clicking. People cannot re-adjust their mouse position fast enough.

I get burnt on that more often than not.

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