OECD Digital Economy Papers
The OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) undertakes a wide range of activities to better understand how information and communication technologies (ICTs) contribute to sustainable economic growth and social well-being. The OECD Digital Economy Papers series covers a broad range of ICT-related issues and makes selected studies available to a wider readership. They include policy reports, which are officially declassified by an OECD Committee, and occasional working papers, which are meant to share early knowledge.
- ISSN: 20716826 (online)
- https://doi.org/10.1787/20716826
Empowering and Protecting Consumers in the Internet Economy
This report is part of a series of papers in the follow-up work to the 2008 Seoul Ministerial Declaration for the Future of the Internet Economy. It shows that over the past five years, despite the financial crisis, business-to-consumer e-commerce has grown steadily across the OECD and beyond, spurred by increased Internet and broadband penetration, competition and innovation, which have in turn led to consumer access to a wider range of products at lower prices. The spread of mobile devices, easy-to-use payment mechanisms, as well as participative web tools such as price and product comparisons and consumer ratings and reviews has further provided consumers with a more convenient e-commerce experience. Trust in e-commerce, however, remains challenged by a number of problems requiring further attention. These include complex information disclosures, legislative gaps, fraudulent and misleading practices and privacy threats as well as inadequate redress mechanisms.
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