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Picture from the speaker: Dark Patterns for Unethical Software Engineering

Event type On-site Event

Location NOI Techpark BZ, Room B1.0.14 (Aula Magna)

Departments ENG Faculty

22 Nov 2024 10:30-12:00

8 Dark Patterns for Unethical Software Engineering

A discussion about unethical practices to commit digital frauds, violate users privacy, pursue monetization at all costs, manipulate search rankings, and engage in unethical artificial intel

Event type On-site Event

Location NOI Techpark BZ, Room B1.0.14 (Aula Magna)

Departments ENG Faculty

Software engineering has transitioned from a craft importing metaphors from the real world to a discipline exporting digitalization and sometimes disruption into the real world. While design patterns provide a net benefit when applying them to solve problems in a given context, dark patterns intentionally manipulate, mislead or harm users, often serving business interests over users welfare. This talk explores a small number of dark patterns widely used by unethical software engineers to commit digital frauds, violate users privacy, pursue monetization at all costs, manipulate search rankings, and engage in unethical artificial intelligence practices. As we describe how each dark pattern works and examine its ethical implications, we will learn to recognize them, advocate for their avoidance, and contribute to a more ethical software engineering ecosystem.