Sometimes the issues we cover in our course are lodged right between what's illegal and what is only unethical.  As you'll read in our materials on Technology as a Force in the Business Environment toward the end of the term, new technologies often stump regulators, legislators and society.  Until we see how they work, we do not know which laws should apply. Therefore, we rely more than ever on ethical standards to guide our behaviors in the technology realm. 

This is the case with "dark patterns" in online business activity (such as e-commerce).  The case you are going to analyze involves Amazon but can also be found in many business practices.  Just as businesses work hard through marketing, product/service design and strategy to attract and retain customers, these "dark patterns" seem to be highly strategic.  But are they ethical?  Which SHs (stakeholders) have something to gain or lose by a company's reliance on "tricks" to retain them?  What might some consequences be and, most importantly, how can a company like Amazon take actions to restore our trust and develop more wholesome strategies to retain subscriptions and customers?

Please read the articles below – one from the FTC and one from Fortune Magazine – and watch the short video on Dark Patterns. Post any questions in the course questions area and feel free to bring thoughts or questions to our class meetings or student hour on Thursdays at 12:30 pm.

Start early to write a great paper.  This paper is worth 35% of your final grade.  

 Please read these two articles for details:  

1. Link for FTC article:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/06/ftc-takes-action-against-amazon-enrolling-consumers-amazon-prime-without-consent-sabotaging-theirLinks to an external site.

2.  Link for Fortune Magazine article:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HQeGO-Q92m6TVYeP2_hudIcVmDQmGhAErK_kQvolj3Q/edit?usp=sharingLinks to an external site.

Same article as a PDF: FORTUNE AMAZON DARK PATTERNS

3. Short Video about Dark Patterns:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxkrdLI6e6MLinks to an external site.

You will write your paper in the voice of the CEO of Amazon.  You may imagine the CEO is working with a leadership team or other members of the organization but the paper is written in the voice of the CEO.

Please use the guidance from the practice case (both sections) provided in your grading feedback, the rubrics shared in that assignment, and the discussions we've had as you worked on your practice case (course questions area and in-class exercises).  Some additional guidance is offered in the rubric for this assignment and below.

Your paper may be as long as 12 single-spaced pages or as short as 7.  It just depends on whether or not you've completed all requirements well.  If it extends beyond 12 pages, consider using an appendix for any tables for figures and consider editing for relevance and conciseness.