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Dark patterns, dark nudges, sludge and misinformation: alcohol industry apps and digital tools
Elliott Roy-Highley1, Katherine Körner1, Claire Mulrenan1
1Public Health, The Royal Free London NHS Trust, London, NW3 2QG, UK.
Health Promotion International
|October 8, 2024
Summary
Alcohol industry digital health tools often contain misinformation and "dark patterns." These apps may inaccurately track consumption and promote alcohol, hindering informed health decisions and potentially increasing drinking.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Digital Health
- Health Behavior
Background:
- Alcohol industry-funded (AIF) organizations provide eHealth/mHealth tools for alcohol consumption monitoring.
- Previous research indicates AIF materials may contain health misinformation, including 'dark nudges' and 'sludge'.
- The accuracy and functionality of AIF digital tools have not been previously analyzed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the information accuracy, framing, behavior change techniques (BCTs), and functions of AIF digital tools.
- To compare AIF tools with a non-industry-funded independent sample.
- To identify potential misinformation and industry-friendly narratives within AIF tools.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 15 AIF digital tools from multiple countries (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia) and 10 non-industry-funded tools.
- Evaluation of information accuracy, framing, BCTs, and interface design ('dark patterns').
- Comparison of feedback accuracy, omission of health risks (cancer, cardiovascular disease), and promotion of industry narratives between AIF and independent tools.
Main Results:
- AIF tools exhibited misinformation and 'dark patterns', with significantly fewer providing accurate feedback (33% vs 100%).
- AIF tools significantly omitted information on cancer (67% vs 10%) and cardiovascular disease (80% vs 30%), and promoted industry narratives (47% vs 0%).
- AIF tools used fewer BCTs, offered limited options (54%), fewer drink choices (mean 24 vs 275), and often impeded guideline advice.
Conclusions:
- AIF digital tools employ misinformation strategies and 'dark patterns' that misinform users about alcohol consumption.
- These tools may covertly market alcohol and 'nudge' users towards continued drinking, exhibiting 'Dark Apps' design characteristics.
- The findings highlight concerns regarding the reliability and potential harm of industry-funded digital health interventions for alcohol consumption.
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