Whoever decided to use dark patterns at @googlepixel to trick users into activating backup on photos while just trying to browse their Pixel just added to my chaos pile today.
Oh, yeah, I turned off the backup feature a year ago when I decided to go crazy with videos and one little push of the backup button would shut down my quota instantly.
Hand phone to child to view photos. Miss them hitting the backup all button. Quota destroyed.
What’s a dark pattern in this context?
Even if you’ve already said “no backups” before, they sometimes prompt you the instant you open Photos with this pop-in. It defaults to “yes” and provides one button. Very easy to hit the button thinking you’re just dismissing something.
In the end, it’s one tap to enable, but FOUR taps to say no. That’s the real dark pattern here.
You have to toggle the switch off, then tap the button, and then it nags you again! You have to tap “no” again, and then you have to press the original “no” button a second time. (The toggle will stay off, though.)
Anytime I see a toggle, I disable it. Don’t give a damn what it’s for, if the phones asking it’s probably trash
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Wow. I never realized it was this bad for the backups.
This UI design and behavior is clearly predatory.