The U.S. Federal Trade Commission published a staff report on the sophistication of "dark patterns." The enhanced tactics for deceptive advertising practices include ads disguised as content, increased subscription cancellation hurdles and misleading users into handing over personal data unnecessarily. Specific to privacy, the report details instances of companies using dark patterns to steer individuals into choosing to share their data with a company. "This report—and our cases—send a clear message that these traps will not be tolerated," FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine said.