THE CHALLENGES OF CONSUMER PROTECTION IN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE

Abstract

With technological advances, a large part of everyday activities have migrated to the virtual environment, causing legislation to adapt to ensure citizens' rights in all situations. Consequently, e-commerce has grown exponentially in recent decades, bringing numerous benefits but also significant challenges for consumer protection. Considered vulnerable and, therefore, insufficient, consumers have been even more exposed to risky situations when concluding electronic contracts, which is why this article aims to present the biggest challenges to consumer protection in the virtual environment. To this end, the research uses the deductive method of study, carried out through bibliographical consultation of legislation, doctrine and jurisprudence, aiming to protect consumers in the face of online transactions, data security and quality of products and services contracted via the internet. Furthermore, it is intended to examine existing regulations at national level aimed at protecting consumers in the digital environment and the application of CDC articles in these cases, while there is no specific legislation for these contracts.