Nine out of ten consumers have been affected by “dark business patterns” – manipulative online design tactics such as countdown timers, hidden fees and subscription traps that influence consumer behavior and often lead to purchases unintentional or compromised confidentiality. These deceptive practices are widespread across websites and apps, posing significant risks to consumers around the world.
The findings are part of a new OECD survey of more than 35,000 people in 20 countries. They were presented at the OECD Consumer Policy Ministerial Meeting on October 8-9, where ministers adopted a Declaration committing to further protect and empower consumers in the digital and green transitions. The Declaration highlights the need to act against current and emerging harms consumers face online, encourages businesses to adopt fair practices and commits governments to protect all consumers. It focuses on those who may be particularly vulnerable, such as children, older consumers and occasional internet users. Furthermore, the Declaration calls for an update of the OECD Recommendation on Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce to better address the evolving risks and harms associated with the digital transition.
“While consumer spending represents on average around 60% of GDP in OECD countries, consumer protection policies have an important role to play in contributing to the smooth functioning of open and competitive markets by protecting consumers from deceptive, unfair and fraudulent commercial practices and against dangerous products. , promoting informed decisions and consumer confidence, and ensuring a level playing field for businesses, ensuring fair competition based on quality, price and innovation,” said the Secretary General of the OECD, Mathias Cormann. “Today’s ministerial meeting discussed how policymakers can ensure that consumer policies help people navigate these new digital and green products, services and options, adapting to new risks associated with to technology, continuing to prioritize consumer safety and ensuring that consumer policies are well adapted. -in coordination with other relevant areas, such as competition, digital and environmental policies.
The OECD also announced the launch of the Global Consumer Policy Forum. This new forum will bring together policymakers, academics, civil society, businesses and experts in an inclusive network to collaborate on consumer issues, behavioral economics, technology trends and emerging consumer policy research.
Participants also discussed ways to protect and empower consumers who make sustainable consumption decisions and combat new risks related to consumer product safety. Part of the discussion focused on the safe and responsible use of lithium-ion batteries. Faced with the increasing number of safety incidents involving these batteries, the OECD and its members are launching an awareness campaign on their safe and responsible use. The global lithium-ion battery market is expected to reach $307.8 billion by 2032, up from $59.8 billion in 2022, highlighting the urgency of these efforts.
For more information on the outcome of the OECD Consumer Policy Ministerial Meeting, please see: https://oe.cd/consumer24.
Working with more than 100 countries, the OECD is a global policy forum that promotes policies to preserve individual freedom and improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.
Originally published in The European Times.
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