New bans from the European Union against hidden money traps on the internet

Michael McGrath, the EU's chief consumer protection officer, said earlier that the new rules aim to "step up our fight against unfair commercial practices" and pointed to data showing 97 percent of popular platforms use dark patterns.

Agustin Reyna of the European Consumer Organization said the proposal was "a much-needed tool to give consumers back control of how much time and money they spend online."

Meanwhile, questions were raised about the EU's expanding digital rulebook after Brussels announced plans to ban social media for children under 13 and force companies to make platforms safe for use by minors, in addition to comprehensive rules already in place under the Digital Services Act.

Spanish EU parliamentarian Laura Ballarin Cereza said the proposal aims to create "a safer online space for everyone, including children and adults", adding that the regulation would "fill the gaps" as "consumer law is intended to function as a safety net".

But the European Commission, the bloc's digital regulator, is facing pressure from EU lawmakers and consumer advocates who accuse it of failing to enforce online content and competition rules.

Euroconsumers, a group that represents user rights in many EU countries, said: "Strong rules only make sense if they are properly implemented."

Nongovernmental organization Finance Watch also said the proposal on dark patterns "moves in the right direction, but lacks the argument to adequately protect consumers in financial services."

Warning that there are "significant gaps" in the draft plans, the group said, "Companies may continue to pay social media influencers to promote risky investments."