The European Commission is preparing a bill that is intended to restrict the use of so-called “dark patterns” — design techniques in websites and mobile apps that encourage users to make purchases, sign up for subscriptions, or spend more time on services, the Financial Times reports.

European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath said the new measures are aimed at closing gaps in consumer protection in the digital environment. Particular attention is expected to be paid to protecting children and teenagers, whom Brussels considers the most vulnerable to commercial manipulation on the internet.

The bill provides for tackling subscription traps, addictive app design, and other mechanisms that push users toward additional spending. In addition, the European Commission wants to gain the authority to impose sanctions on its own, including fines, on large digital platforms, video game developers, and online stores that violate consumer protection rules.

At present, compliance with the legislation is monitored by the national authorities of EU member states under the coordination of the European Commission. According to McGrath, this system has proved insufficiently effective and has so far not led to the imposition of a single fine.

The initiative is being discussed amid a broader debate over protecting children online. The European Union is considering additional measures, including possible age restrictions for the use of social networks. At the same time, there is no unified position within the European Commission: some countries, Poland in particular, believe that the new rules could duplicate existing legislation, including the Digital Services Act (DSA).

In McGrath’s view, the problem cannot be solved by a ban alone. In addition to regulating service design, stricter default privacy settings, stronger parental controls, and improved digital literacy among children are needed.