Dark Patterns in choice architecture are traps designed to get users to sign up or purchase something they don't really want. When newspapers make it very easy for a new subscriber to sign up for their newspaper on their website, but make you call and stay on hold only to be pressured when you try to cancel, this is a dark pattern. This "assymetry" with the ease of signup and difficulty cancelling is nickname a roach motel, because you can check in, but can't check out.
This practice will get you in trouble! So avoid doing it when you design a website.
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