9 out of 10 consumers have been influenced by “dark commercial patterns”. Manipulative online design tactics such as countdown timers, hidden fees, and subscription traps that influence consumer behavior and often lead to unintended purchases or privacy violations. These deceptive practices are widespread across websites and apps and pose a serious risk to consumers around the world.
The findings are part of a new OECD survey of more than 35,000 respondents in 20 countries. It was announced at the OECD Consumer Policy Ministerial Meeting on 8-9 October, where ministers adopted a declaration committing to further protect and empower consumers in the digital and green transition. The declaration highlights the need to take action against the current and future harms consumers face online, encourages businesses to adopt fair practices and commits governments to protecting all consumers. It focuses on people who may be particularly vulnerable, such as children, older consumers and infrequent Internet users. The declaration also calls for updating the OECD Recommendations on Consumer Protection in E-commerce to better address the evolving risks and harms of digital transformation.
“With consumer spending accounting for about 60% of GDP on average in OECD countries, consumer policy has an important role to play in contributing to well-functioning, open and competitive markets by protecting consumers from deceptive, unfair and deceptive commercial practices and unsafe products. It plays an important role. “By ensuring fair competition based on quality, price and innovation, we foster informed consumer decisions and trust and ensure a level playing field for businesses,” said OECD Secretary-General Matthias Komann. “Today’s ministerial meeting will help policymakers adapt to the risks associated with new technologies, continue to prioritize consumer safety and ensure that consumer policies are well aligned with each other, so that consumer policy can help people explore these new digital and green products, services and options. We’ve discussed ways to help ensure that you’re happy. -Coordinated with other relevant areas such as competition, digital and environmental policy.”
The OECD also announced the launch of a Global Forum on Consumer Policy. This new forum will bring together policymakers, academia, civil society, businesses and experts into a comprehensive network to collaborate on consumer issues, behavioral economics, technology trends and new consumer policy research.
Participants also addressed how to protect and empower consumers to make sustainable consumption decisions and address emerging consumer product safety risks. Part of the discussion was the safe and responsible use of lithium-ion batteries. As safety incidents involving these batteries increase, the OECD and its member countries are launching awareness campaigns about their safe and responsible use. The global lithium-ion battery market is expected to grow from $59.8 billion in 2022 to $307.8 billion in 2032, showing the urgency of such efforts.
For more information on the findings of the OECD Consumer Policy Ministerial, see https://oe.cd/consumer24.
Working with more than 100 countries, the OECD is a global policy forum that promotes policies that protect individual freedoms and improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.
