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ManipulationDetect: An AI Auditing Tool for Online Choice Architecture

Author

Listed:
  • Richard Mills

    (University of Nottingham)

  • Stuart Mills

    (University of Leeds)

  • Cass R. Sunstein

    (Harvard University)

Abstract

Policymakers and regulators are increasingly interested in behavioural auditing tools to counteract manipulative designs in Online Choice Architecture (OCA). To date, auditing tools have been largely manual, creating a trade-off between time, cost, and scale. This article presents a tool called ‘ManipulationDetect’, an internet browser plug-in that uses AI to detect, highlight, and record potentially manipulative OCA techniques in real-time. We offer a technical overview of how ManipulationDetect works, present an example audit which demonstrates the tool’s advantages, and highlight important practical next steps for further development.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Mills & Stuart Mills & Cass R. Sunstein, 2025. "ManipulationDetect: An AI Auditing Tool for Online Choice Architecture," Discussion Papers 2025-04, The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham.
    • Handle: RePEc:not:notcdx:2025-04
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