Develop Tools for Evaluation and Accreditation

A tool based on the Trusted Design Norms to assess the adherence to and impact of Trusted Design, as well as serve as the basis for regulations.

Problem

The Trusted Design Norms will help establish a shared set of language and standards for Trusted Design but there is no unified method for evaluating, regulating, or incentivising companies to adopt them.

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Solution

A framework to assess Trusted Design Norms adherence can jump-start organizational accountability and ladder up to a later broader accreditation system. An evaluation framework provides metrics to evaluate examples of —and deviations from—Trusted Design practices. A self-assessment guide provides a starting point for organisations interested in championing Trusted Design to evaluate how their processes align with evolving industry-best practices.

‍“There is also quite a reputational crisis moment for the big platforms at present with all that is going on, which could contribute to creating good momentum for ethical design work.” - Government agency

Considerations for an eventual accreditation system:

An independent body should be established with the authority to coordinate standards revision processes and grant accreditation.
An evaluation framework should be created with meaningful inclusion of the Global Majority in terms of practices, priorities, and norms related to web engagement.
The framework should align with regulatory, cultural, and regional variations while engaging with language and values of broader encompassing frameworks.
It is also important for framework contributors to embed Trusted Design metrics into other existing regulation frameworks, such as consumer protections, in order to form connections between other regulatory communities.

Impact

As the harms of Deceptive Design become more well articulated, a framework and accreditation process for organisations can provide guidance and accountability to drive Trusted Design practices. The successful structuring, positioning, and early adoption of such a system by a group of industry leaders could help inspire a tipping point toward broader transformation, adherence and adoption towards Trusted Design practices.