The European Commission has presented a draft Digital Fairness Act, which provides for new restrictions on online services and mobile applications. In particular, the document will require services to give users the option to switch off features that can be addictive.
As Wired reports, this covers, among other things, video autoplay and so-called "streaks", runs of days of continuous use of services such as Duolingo and Strava.
The draft also bans certain forms of consumer manipulation. These include false claims that a product is supposedly running out and questionable dynamic pricing methods used by ticketing operators.
Under the new rules, influencers will have to disclose information about payments received for promoting products. In addition, the aim is to make it easier for users to cancel digital subscriptions and to give them the opportunity to contact a human being, not just an automated support service.
For minors, it is proposed to ban completely personalised advertising and pricing based on the use of confidential data.
The bill is part of a broader update of EU consumer protection legislation and is aimed at curbing harmful digital practices in online shopping, social media and mobile applications.
