ANALYSIS OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON CONSUMER PROTECTION IN E-COMMERCE

Abstract

The exponential growth of e-commerce has significantly altered traditional consumer behavior. Online shopping has become increasingly popular across all categories of consumers, offering convenience, multiple choices, and competitive prices. However, this transition to digital transactions has also brought forth numerous challenges and risks for consumers. Issues such as fraudulent activities, inadequate product disclosures, misleading advertisements, and unsatisfactory dispute resolution mechanisms have become prevalent in the e-commerce landscape. In this context, the role of the legal framework in providing adequate protection to consumers is paramount. This paper delved into an in-depth analysis of the existing legal provisions relevant to consumer protection in e-commerce. It scrutinized the key legislations and regulations at the national and international levels that govern e-commerce transactions. Furthermore, the study examined the enforcement mechanisms and the role of regulatory authorities in ensuring compliance with consumer protection laws in the digital marketplace. The effectiveness of the legal framework was critically evaluated by assessing its ability to address the specific challenges encountered by consumers in e-commerce. This involved a comprehensive review of case studies, consumer complaints, and judicial precedents related to e-commerce transactions. The paper also explored the complexities arising from cross-border consumer transactions and the implications of varying legal frameworks across jurisdictions. In addition, the paper discussed potential areas of improvement in the legal framework to better address the evolving nature of e-commerce and to provide enhanced protection to consumers. This included recommendations for legislative reforms, regulatory interventions, technological solutions, and collaborative efforts among stakeholders in the e-commerce ecosystem. Through this analysis, the paper sought to contribute to the ongoing discourse on consumer protection in e-commerce and provide valuable insights for policymakers, regulators, legal professionals, businesses, and consumers. The findings of this study is instrumental in highlighting the strengths and shortcomings of the current legal framework and charting a course for a more robust and responsive system for consumer protection in e-commerce.