Company
Date Published
Author
Martin Capodici
Word count
1429
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

User friction, often perceived as a hindrance in user interactions, can be strategically beneficial when applied thoughtfully to enhance security, compliance, and user confidence. It acts as a protective measure against fraud and errors, ensuring that important actions, like large financial transactions, are executed with caution and regulatory compliance, such as with HIPAA or GDPR, is maintained. Introducing friction can reassure users of their data's security, especially in an era where password breaches are common, by employing measures like multi-factor authentication. The key is to balance friction and convenience, ensuring it's applied proportionately to the action's significance and using device intelligence to dynamically adjust the level of friction based on user behavior and device signals. This approach not only mitigates risks associated with fraudulent activities but also supports a secure and trustworthy user experience without being excessively intrusive.