Definition:
Dark defaults are pre-selected settings designed to benefit a platform or institution rather than the user, often requiring effort to disable or reverse.
Usage Context:
Seen in data sharing permissions, marketing opt-ins, subscription renewals, and privacy settings.
Critical Note:
Dark defaults exploit inertia and fatigue. They allow platforms to claim user choice while engineering outcomes that most users will not actively resist.
Related Terms:
Dark Patterns, Choice Architecture, Default Advantage, Behavioural Bias Exploitation, Consent Dilution