That's almost certainly the case. "What can we do that has an observable effect we can demonstrate as us being responsive, but doesn't have a significant cost [

That's almost certainly the case. "What can we do that has an observable effect we can demonstrate as us being responsive, but doesn't have a significant cost [to ourselves]". It's the same as any other "this shouldn't be done, but a manager asks me to do it". If you aren't ready to die on that hill as I would, then there is nothing you can do. I'd easily take that fight but that's coming from a very privileged position (i.e., I'd not risk not having food on the table if I said no when a manager asked me to add keyword moderation or a dark-pattern cookie banner).