After reading the Dark Patterns Deceptions vs Honesty in UI design Alistapart article, my understanding of websites has changed in that I know now the name for this deceptive design feature.
As I am sure most people have experienced with the app- and website-based subscription-fueled lifestyles of modern day. I have paid for fees and subscriptions that I hardly remember signing up for. Or have shopped around for deals on hotels and flights that end up with added fees, which lessen the deal and make me almost stop using 3rd-party systems. After more than one third-party deal that left me unable to create changes to the reservation and included fees I did not want, I now only book directly.
While I do understand the need for profits in the business behind the dark pattern design, I only see the benefit when it comes to non-paid subscriptions/data collection. Most people understand that websites collect your data while you are navigating; consciously or unconsciously, we take that as the payment for these online services. Marketing opt-ins that clearly state the marketing intentions are the only acceptable dark patterns I see. All others build a sense of distrust that ends up hurting a business in the long run.