Information from the Law Commission of Ontario
Regarding their new Consultation Paper concerning
Consumer Protection in the Digital Marketplace
The Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) is pleased to release a new Consultation Paper: Consumer Protection in the Digital Marketplace.
Hardly a day goes by that Ontarians aren’t asked to click, tap, or scan “I ACCEPT” to some form of online contract or service. Online “terms of service” contracts have many advantages but they can also be long, confusing, misleading, or unfair.
In this paper, the LCO asks how Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act should be updated to better protect Ontarians against many new, complex and expansive consumer risks in the digital economy. These risks include:
Long and complex online “terms of service”;
Failure to obtain consumer consent or provide proper disclosure;
Unilateral contractual changes;
Unconscionable or deceptive transactions;
Privacy risks; and
“Dark pattern” software and contracting practices.
The LCO Consultation Paper identifies a range of options to address these issues and asks questions about how to develop what is sometimes called a “new consumer agenda.” The full list of consultation questions is available here. More information about the project, including opportunities to participate in LCO consultations, is available on the LCO’s Consumer Protection in the Digital Marketplace project page. Consultations will run from June 22 through September 1, 2023.
For more information about the project or how to participate, contact the LCO at: Law Commission of Ontario Email: LawCommission@lco-cdo.org Web: www.lco-cdo.org Twitter: @LCO_CDO Tel: (416) 650-8406 Toll-free: 1 (866) 950-8406
Comments