<![CDATA[Subscription-based platforms such as Spotify and Netflix have transformed digital content access by offering convenience, personalization, and seamless integration, yet often employ dark patterns—deceptive interface designs that manipulate user behavior and limit autonomy. While previous studies have explored dark patterns broadly, few have quantitatively compared their prevalence across major subscription services. This study addresses this gap by examining the sign-up and cancellation flows of Spotify and Netflix, focusing on asymmetry, friction, and manipulative design elements. Using structured observation, click-count tracking, timing measurements, and interface coding based on established dark pattern taxonomies, the study identifies and classifies manipulative strategies. Results show that cancellation flows consistently involve more complex dark patterns, including hierarchical button placement, information hiding, redundant steps, forced actions, and confirm-shaming messages, which increase user effort and reduce control. Spotify exhibits a higher concentration of manipulations than Netflix, though both leverage cognitive biases like default settings and effort avoidance. Findings underscore ethical concerns and provide recommendations for interface design that enhances transparency, fairness, and user autonomy in subscription services.]]>
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