Resisting The Matrix: Perceptions of Manipulative Designs Among Vulnerable Users

Manipulative designs - so-called "dark patterns'' - as ubiquitous design practices that can cause harm online are increasingly discussed among scholars and policymakers. While academia shows an increased interest in designing counter-interventions, the impact of manipulative designs on users in situations of vulnerability remains understudied. This work presents an interview study to understand how users in situations of vulnerability perceive and resist manipulative designs (N=19). The findings explain how socio-technical aspects mediate interaction with manipulative desgins, their associated harms, and resistance strategies. Lastly, it discusses the relationship between socio-digital inequalities and online vulnerability, providing directions for further research to tackle vulnerability by design.