Irish Mathematical Society

ICEDIM Seminars

Date: Wednesday, June 12 2024 at 2pm (UTC)

Speaker: Ashley Sheil (MTU)

Title: Deceptive Patterns Online, Annoying For Most, But Barriers To Vulnerable Users

Location: Online via Zoom [ Meeting ID: 935 0230 3096 Passcode: 508058 ]

Abstract
Deceptive Designs or Dark Patterns are ubiquitous online and infiltrate all aspects of the online experience. In the course of my PhD, I conducted three studies, two of which were linked by these dark patterns. I looked at thousands of cookie banners in Ireland and discovered various dark patterns that can dissuade people from more privacy-safe options. I also conducted a study on a specific dark pattern known as Roach Motel where it is easy to subscribe to a service but difficult to cancel. I looked at four different countries' national news sites to explore how current or upcoming regulations on dark patterns have addressed being able to cancel a subscription with as much ease as it was to purchase. All of these traits are annoying at best, however for vulnerable people, they can pose serious barriers. These projects led me to my current research in cyber safety for older adults. The barriers I had previously uncovered in my thesis are evident in talking to Irish older adults. By talking to older adults we hope to come up with cybersecurity educational material that will provide autonomy to older adults and help them gain confidence in navigating the online world.

Bio

Ashley Sheil is a researcher with the CyberSkills department at MTU in Cork. Her background is in Mathematics and Physics. She completed her PhD in usable security and privacy at Maynooth University. Her thesis focused on guessing partial PINs, cookie banners and subscription dark patterns. Her subscription project was conducted in collaboration with Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands. As well as cybersecurity and privacy, she also has an interest in psychology, philosophy and education. Her focus is to creatively address current cyber issues from all angles. Her current project, funded by the Science Federation of Ireland, involves creating cybersecurity educational material for older adults to ensure their autonomy and confidence in navigating the online world and technology today and tomorrow.

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