The Publishers Clearing House offices in Jericho, New York on Jan. 30, 2019. Bill Perlman/Newsday RM via Getty Images)How 'dark patterns' can trap consumersSara Adair shows off the oversized check for $1 million her husband Mark received from the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol in South Boston, Massachusetts, on April 1, 2022. Dark patterns are a "manipulative" and unlawful design trick, examples of which include pre-checked boxes, hard to find and read disclosures, and confusing cancellation policies, the FTC said. When it included disclaimers or clarifying information, the text was in small, light font and overlooked by consumers, the FTC claimed. In addition to sweepstakes, PCH also sells merchandise and magazines.

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Persons: Bill Perlman, Sara Adair, Mark, Craig F, Walker, Samuel Levine, PCH Organizations: Clearing, Newsday, Getty, Publishers, Boston Globe, FTC, Amazon, Consumer, Firms Locations: Jericho , New York, South Boston , Massachusetts, FTC's