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Intermediate Open Pro

A Pre-Checked Add-On at Checkout

You're reviewing a checkout redesign built by another designer on your team. At the final payment step, there's a checkbox labeled "Add Priority Support (+$4.99/mo)" that is pre-checked by default. Below it, in smaller gray text, is a second checkbox: "Uncheck this box if you do not wish to not receive our weekly deals email" — also pre-checked.

  1. Identify the dark pattern(s) present in each checkbox, by name.
  2. Explain specifically why each one fails the "would it survive disclosure" test from this subject.
  3. Rewrite both as ethical, GDPR-compliant equivalents that could still serve the underlying business interest (upsell revenue, email list growth).
  4. The other designer says, "It's not a big deal, users can just uncheck it." Explain, using specific concepts from this subject, why that response doesn't hold up.

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