Black Friday to Christmas: A Legal Guide for EU-Compliant Online Promotions
With Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas sales around the corner, online businesses have a prime opportunity to increase sales. But with great opportunities come responsibilities — especially for businesses targeting European Union (EU) consumers. Here’s a practical legal guide to help you maximise seasonal sales while staying compliant with EU laws.
Legal Steps for Suspending User Accounts on Online Platforms
Online platforms that allow users to share content are required to manage content moderation and, when necessary, suspend user activities for violations of legal obligations or platform rules. The Digital Services Act (DSA) sets out important guidelines for these platforms, especially regarding the suspension of user accounts or activities. This article explains the conditions under which platform providers can suspend user access, offering practical advice and examples for platforms that must comply with these rules.
Promotion Rules for Cryptoasset Firms: Key Insights from the UK’s Financial Promotion Regime
Cryptoassets are often in the news and have come under greater regulatory scrutiny in recent years. Incidents like the collapse of FTX and price volatility have raised concerns. To protect consumers, UK public authorities are introducing specific rules for promotions conducted by the crypto sector.
Unfair Commercial Practices – Legal Insights for E-Commerce Businesses
To engage customers responsibly, businesses need to find a balance between strong marketing efforts and fair commercial practices. The European Union (EU) has strict regulations to protect consumers from unfair commercial practices, and it’s vital for e-commerce companies to understand and comply with these rules. Failure to do so can result in legal penalties and harm a brand’s reputation.
EU Consumer Bodies Call Out Video Game Companies for Unfair Practices
In a significant development, various EU consumer organizations, including the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), have lodged a formal complaint with EU authorities against leading video game companies. This complaint alleges that these companies engage in practices that violate EU consumer protection laws, raising critical concerns about compliance and consumer rights.
CMA’s Ruling on Online Choice Architecture: What E-Commerce Businesses Should Learn
In 2023, Citizens Advice revealed a staggering figure: consumers spent nearly £2.1 billion on items they didn’t want, need, or later regretted over the course of a year. This spending was largely driven by manipulative online choice architecture – a design strategy used by e-commerce websites that push consumers into making quick decisions they might regret.
EU Consumer Rights in Online Subscription Renewals
The laws in the European Union (EU) provide consumers with the right to change their minds and cancel online purchases within a 14-day period. However, questions have emerged about the applicability of this right when subscriptions automatically renew, especially post a free trial. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) provided clarity on this issue through a case involving a dispute between a consumer protection association and an online learning platform in Austria.
Understanding Digital Services Act Enforcement: A Simple Guide
Enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA) involves a broad spectrum of investigative and punitive measures accessible to both national authorities and the European Commission. The Commission takes the lead in supervising and enforcing the DSA, assisted by Digital Services Coordinators and the Board.
Shedding Light on Dark Patterns: Legal Frameworks and Best Practices for Online Businesses
The term “dark patterns” has become increasingly relevant, sparking concerns among online businesses. Recent actions by EU authorities have placed a spotlight on these tactics, prompting companies to revaluate their digital strategies. In this article, we’ll delve into what dark patterns entail, explore their legal ramifications, and offer insights for businesses navigating this landscape.