Roland Preston|How political campaigns raise millions through unwitting donors

2025-05-08 02:39:10source:Marc Leclerccategory:My

A lot of people have Roland Prestonexperienced some version of this: You sign up for the free one-week trial of some subscription service, only later to be surprised when you get a bill for the deluxe, forever plan. Or you log into a website once, and now your inbox is a flood of promotional emails. All because of a little pre-checked box tucked away, unnoticed.

But what if that pesky, pre-checked box cost you thousands of dollars?

On today's show, how some political campaigns used 'dark defaults' to raise millions of dollars from unsuspecting donors.

Related Episodes: Confused when online shopping? It might be a Dark Pattern

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.

More:My

Recommend

DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?

Did AI just have a "Sputnik moment"?That's what someinvestors, after the little known Chinese startu

Pandemic food assistance that held back hunger comes to an end

Millions of Americans will have less to spend on groceries as emergency food assistance that Congres

This $35 2-Piece Set From Amazon Will Become a Staple in Your Wardrobe

The brand featured in this article are partners of Amazon's Creator Connections program, which means