AI Browser Plug-Ins: Enhancing Digital Privacy Literacy and Combating Manipulative Design

The University of Notre Dame researchers have developed AI browser plug-ins that aim to empower consumers to improve their digital privacy literacy and combat manipulative design on online platforms. The plug-ins, Privacy Sandbox and Dark Pita, help users understand how they are being exploited and targeted online, allowing them to make informed decisions about their online interactions.

Privacy Sandbox replaces user data with AI-generated personas, making it clear how websites target users based on various factors. This allows users to experiment with different privacy settings and see the potential risks of sharing their personal information online.

Dark Pita, on the other hand, detects dark patterns on popular online platforms and notifies users of deceptive design features that may manipulate them into making impulsive decisions. The plug-in then gives users the option to modify the website code to remove these dark patterns, empowering them to take control of their online experience.

The researchers plan to make these browser plug-ins available to the public, aiming to democratize the use of AI tools for the benefit of society. By giving users the power to combat oppressive algorithms and manipulative design, the researchers hope to level the playing field between users and companies that exploit their data.

These innovative tools were presented at the 2024 Association of Computing Machinery CHI Conference and published in the Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction. The research team, led by Toby Li, is dedicated to bridging the privacy gap and empowering end-users to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and control.