Workshops on Understanding the neuro-psycho-social mechanisms of consumer influence and manipulation
The University of Lille, together with other French institutes, organise several workshops in the field of Understanding the neuro-psycho-social mechanisms of consumer influence and manipulation. Researchers from NeurotechEU universities are invited to join the workshops online.
Location: Paris, France or online
Language: French, and simultaneous interpretation to English in all talks
Register below!
More information and registration
Towards the Emergence of Neuro-ethical Law as a Counterpoint to Digital Technology Law?
Reflections on Consumer Law
Collective research under the scientific direction of
Sabine Bernheim-Desvaux, Professor at the University of Angers
and
Juliette Sénéchal, Professor at the University of Lille
Under the aegis of the European network of legal experts Trans Europe Experts and in partnership with the Centre Jean Bodin (UAngers), the Centre de recherche Droit et perspectives du droit, éq. Demogue (ULille) and the DReDIS (Institut de recherche juridique de la Sorbonne)
Numerous recent French and European texts that are currently being drafted or have already come into force and/or been applied are revealing, in the context of the regulation of economic activities in the digital age, a common melody consisting of renewed consideration of the risk of manipulation of the user of digital services and intelligence systems. This risk of manipulation arises from algorithms or human/machine interfaces, either intentionally designed to induce behaviour below the user’s threshold of awareness, or unintentionally inducing it.
This common melody, set up as a counterpoint to the rights revisited by digital technology, is reflected in an accumulation of new prohibitions or new obligations of diligence incumbent on digital operators with the aim of protecting users against these new risks of manipulation. In this respect, consumer law appears to be a particularly relevant observatory, since the number of rules aimed at controlling the influence and manipulation of the consumer, a natural person, is multiplying. Examples include, but are not limited to, the prohibition of certain categories of targeted advertising and the development of misleading interfaces or dark patterns in the Digital Services Regulation (DSA), the prohibition of unfair data processing techniques in the European Data Protection Regulation (RGPD), and the renewal of unfair commercial practices under the influence of digital technology, the emerging national regulation of influencers operating on online platforms, the prohibition of certain subliminal and manipulative practices by artificial intelligence systems or the regulation of deep fakes in the future regulation on artificial intelligence, not forgetting the obligation to prevent risks to mental health in the regulation on digital services.
On the basis of this observation, the aim of the research is to draw up a summary, and then carry out a prospective analysis, of the techniques used to influence and manipulate consumers. It will be divided into three stages.
