Post by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

Google has announced new measures to tackle websites using manipulative design techniques that interfere with how users expect browsers to function. So-called “back button hijacking” prevents users from easily leaving a webpage, disrupting the normal browsing journey and creating frustration. From June, Google will treat these practices as malicious behaviour, meaning sites using them risk being down-ranked or removed from search results. As digital services become more central to everyday life, transparent and user-centred design plays an important role in maintaining trust online. Adam Thompson, Director of Digital at BCS, comments in the BBC coverage on why these practices undermine user experience and expectations of how the web should work. #DigitalEthics #UserExperience #TrustInTech #WebStandards #DigitalProfession