Bill would ban manipulative design in apps, games and chatbots

Pro MP Kathmann is submitting a bill to the Tweede Kamer today that would ban tricks which keep people scrolling endlessly or push them into a purchase they did not plan.

The proposal goes beyond social media. It also covers games, dating apps and chatbots. Kathmann wants manipulative design on online platforms to count as "unfair commercial practices" (oneerlijke handelspraktijken), which the law bans.

"As consumers we deserve better protection," Kathmann said. "This law must make sure that every manipulative trick that gets us hooked, that gets us spending money and spending far too much time online, is gone from the Netherlands."

She said online platforms have become "the new high street or market square". Product rules so far cover only physical products. "If a toy doll is unsafe, we take it off the market." The same should apply to digital products, she said: "If social media platforms are unsafe, they must go back to the drawing board and be changed."

Kathmann would prefer European action, but says that "takes too long". She hopes the Dutch bill will prompt Brussels to act. She is working with parliamentarians in countries including Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Italy and Portugal who also want to regulate this by law.