Nearly 80% of companies tell Guernsey's Data Protection Authority that they will change their websites to end 'deceptive design patterns.'

Guernsey's Data Protection Authority took part in a global privacy sweep earlier this year.

More than 1,000 websites were examined, including those of 19 Alderney based gambling companies.

They were found to be using techniques known as 'dark patterns.' The Authority explains that this directs users down the least privacy-friendly route, resulting in them divulging more information than they would intend, or making it hard to delete data.

The probe found that it was not possible to find privacy settings on 42% of sites. Most had privacy policies, but they were found to be complex and lengthy, and in many cases it was harder to delete an account than create one.

The Authority contacted the companies after its sweep and nearly 80% agreed to change their websites.

The Data Protection Commissioner Brent Homan is encouraged by this:

“We applaud the companies’ willingness to address the dark patterns concerns raised in our sweep of the gambling sector.Their collective efforts will lead to a greater respect for customers’ privacy and consumer rights that will resonate across the globe.”

During the sweep, the Authority worked closely with regulator the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, and it shared its findings with them.