Giving people clearly marked ways to back out of a situation they entered by mistake, such as undo, cancel, or a visible exit. It means the interface never traps you.
Synonyms
- escape routes
Related terms
In plain words
- always giving people an easy way out
- being able to undo or cancel a wrong move
Usage example
A prominent undo toast gave user control and freedom after an accidental delete.
Don't confuse with…
- forgivenessUser control and freedom is the Nielsen heuristic about exits and undo; forgiveness is the broader design attitude of tolerating and recovering from mistakes.
Categories
- Usability principles