Stronger regulation of online marketplaces = better digital consumer protection?

Consumer protection in the digital space has become even more important. Online marketplaces in particular are being scrutinized by regulators and consumer advocates. This is partly due to the fact that the European Commission presented the results of the Digital Fairness Fitness Check in October 2024, in which the Commission identified regulatory gaps. However, this is also due to the fact that in 2024, Chinese online marketplaces in particular aggressively penetrated the European market in some cases and are said not to comply with European regulations - the European Commission also initiated formal proceedings against TEMU in October 2024.

On Safer Internet Day 2025, experts from politics, business, civil society and academia will address the following questions

• what opportunities and what convenience digitalization offers for consumers, especially in online marketplaces
• whether there is a need for action in digital consumer protection with regard to online marketplaces
• whether further regulation is a suitable means of satisfying any need for action in digital consumer protection;
• how we can strengthen and protect the competitiveness and innovative capacity of European companies and platform providers; and
• how the digital competence of our society can be promoted.

Further information: https://www.bitkom.org/Safer-Internet-Day