'Dark patterns' targeted in EU-wide sweep including Ireland's CCPC 

Overall, 399 sweeps were undertaken by the CPC Network, which is comprised of the various EU national authorities who are responsible for enforcing consumer protection laws

An EU-wide effort including Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has been launched to curb the growth of "dark patterns" on online shopping websites.

The term describes manipulative trading practices which push consumers to make choices they might not otherwise make.