[lykahb]

I agree with this. The time spent in app is roughly proportional to the number of ads watched and the revenue.

I noticed this shift shortly after when the internet connectivity become ubiquitous, in late 2000s. The older software designed to work offline may be clunky by the modern standards, but it honestly tried to meet the needs. There was an economic incentive for that too: a satisfied user is more likely to buy the next version or recommend the program to friends.

The connectivity and easy online payments have created new sources of revenue that are tied to how an app is used - the microtransactions and ads. It is inevitable that the dark patterns have followed. It is admirable when a business chooses a more ethical business model at the cost of revenue, even if the most users may not recognize it. But it will never be widespread until the structure of incentives changes. Zerodha has a better standing to do this choice because the stock brokers have revenue largely independent of the engagement.