Comparative Analysis of Consumer Protection Laws in E-Commerce: A Study of Pakistan and the European Union
Keywords:
E-commerce Laws, Consumer Protection Laws, Consumer Protection Act, GDPR, DSA & DMAAbstract
The e-commerce industry is emerging worldwide, and Pakistan, being a part of it, has undergone a remarkable wave of adopting digital trade. This revolution thrives on the foundation of legal protection. The digital world, unlike the traditional one, presents unique problems and crimes, with many new challenges emerging over time and with technological advancements. This study is a comparative analysis based on qualitative and quantitative data available. The lack of jurisprudence in the domestic jurisdiction of Pakistan, as an emerging digital market, also lacks sufficient laws and mechanisms for the effective regulation of e-commerce. To date, the Pakistani government has not introduced specific legislation for the regulation of e-commerce. E-commerce in Pakistan continues to operate under traditional commerce laws (Consumer Protection Acts of all provinces). Additionally, general digital regulatory enactments, such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, the Electronic Transactions Ordinance 2002, and a few others. However, there is no comprehensive legislation specifically enacted for e-commerce. In contrast, various jurisdictions have introduced diverse legislation to safeguard e-commerce. The European Union, for instance, has enacted advanced, comprehensive, and specific laws, including DSA, DMA, GDPR, and several other directives. A detailed analysis reveals that, under the current consumer protection laws and mechanisms, digital consumers in Pakistan are more vulnerable to consumer rights violations, such as fraud, misrepresentation, deceptive pricing, impersonation, and other threats. In this regard, the EU's e-commerce laws can serve as a model for countries like Pakistan to provide a foundation for addressing future vulnerabilities.
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