Google claims it doesn't use "dark patterns" to manipulate users during awkward Senate hearing

Photo: Olly Curtis/Future Publishing/Getty Images

One of the more striking parts of Tuesday's Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the ways tech companies manipulate users was a Google executive's insistence that the company doesn't employ "persuasive technologies," aka "dark patterns," on YouTube or anywhere else.

What they're saying: "Dark patterns and persuasive technologies [are] not core to how we design our products at Google," Google's Maggie Stanphill said, in response to a question from Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).

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Between the lines: To be clear, Google and YouTube do have any number of recommendation engines, autoplay options, etc., but Google doesn't consider any of those to meet the definition of persuasive technologies or dark patterns.

Watch here:

This exchange between Google and Mr. Schatz is incredible:

Mr. Schatz to Google: "Did you say you do not use persuasive technology?"

Google: "That is correct, sir."

Mr. Schatz: @tristanharris is that true?

Harris: 😬#SenateCommerce #PersuasiveDesign pic.twitter.com/boiQDFUpUk

— Cam Adair (@camerondare) June 25, 2019