E- Commerce and Protection of Consumer Rights: Legal Regime in India

As technology advances rapidly, commerce is undergoing significant changes, especially in how consumers, the primary drivers of demand, engage with the supply chain. This technology has allowed consumers to enjoy convenient shopping with just a click. In this e-commerce era, protecting consumer interests has become crucial. The rise of e-commerce has brought numerous legal issues, leading to the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 to protect consumer interests. The Consumer Protection Act of 2019 safeguards public interest, particularly as people increasingly buy goods and services online without being able to inspect their quality firsthand. If a product does not meet consumer expectations, they can file a complaint and expect a resolution within a few months, which has been especially beneficial recently. India's advancement in consumer protection has laid the groundwork for appropriate e-commerce and consumer rights regulations. The E-commerce Regulations of 2020 aim to ensure clearness in the information provided to customers or consumers on e-commerce platforms. These laws and regulations also seek to end preferential treatment for certain dealers, providing individual and small vendors with fair opportunities on these platforms. They prevent large retailers from engaging in dishonest business practices and regulate both foreign and domestic e-commerce platforms. Overall, as e-commerce activity has increased, these regulations are a step toward resolving consumer complaints or problems about online shopping platforms and recommending best practices for these platforms to pursue in the interests of consumers.