CyberLaw Blog

Archive for the ‘consumer protection’ Category

Site glitches blamed for abandoned shopping carts on the web: “Almost nine out of ten people who try to buy online run into problems, a survey has found. The research found that those problems can seriously affect businesses, as 41% of customers would abandon transactions if they came across a problem.”

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

Bank customer data sold on eBay: “An inquiry is under way into how a computer containing the personal details of bank customers was sold on eBay.”

(Via BBC News.)

Global Trail of an Online Crime Ring: “Prosecutors say their own informant stole millions of credit card numbers in a case that reveals how the Internet is enabling new crimes on a vast scale.

(Via NYT > Technology.)

UK signs up to Rome I rules on cross-border contract disputes: “The UK Government has signed up to an EU deal on whose law should govern cross-border disputes over contracts. It says that the agreement will protect UK businesses trading in Europe.”

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

UK retailers ‘unprepared’ for TK Maxx-style hack: “UK retailers are woefully unprepared for the kind of attack that was
perpetrated on the US-based owner of the discount clothing chain TK Maxx,
security experts said today.”

(Via Tech and Web from Times Online.)

Government gives new guidance on unfair commercial practices: “Online traders that fail to make clear the price of their products including any taxes and delivery charges could face criminal proceedings. New Government guidance has set out examples of commercial practices that are now banned.”

See further:

* The guidance (88-page / 379KB PDF)

* The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

* Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations: an OUT-LAW guide

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

MPs report back from internet’s dark side: “

Country going to hell on YouTube

MPs have called on the government to install a YouTube Czar to oversee user-generated content sites and better labels for video games.…

“

(Via The Register - Public Sector.)

Virgin rapped on broadband speeds: “ASA upholds complaint about advertisements lodged by rival broadband provider BT.”

(Via BBC News.)

E-commerce laws to be rewritten by European Commission: “A new set of consumer contract laws to harmonise the rules that govern online selling across the EU will be proposed this autumn by the European Commission. The EU’s consumer chief also promised fresh guidance on viral adverts and profiling technology.”

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

EU - Public consultation on Age Verification, Cross Media Rating and Classification, and Online Social Networking: “(Europa)
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on age verification, cross media rating and classification, and online social networking. The purpose of the public consultation is to gather the knowledge and views of all relevant stakeholders (including public bodies, child safety and consumer organisations, industry). The gathered information will be fed into this year’s Safer Internet Forum 2008, which will be dedicated to the above mentioned topics. The consultation will be open until 31 July 2008.”

(Via QuickLinks Update.)