Consumer Protection in the Digital Age: Using the Consumer Protection Act Of 2019 to Address New E-Commerce Challenges

ABSTRACT

E-commerce has drastically changed consumer markets, bringing new opportunities and special difficulties for consumer protection. This article’s analysis of the changing digital consumer landscape highlights key issues like information asymmetry, data privacy concerns, the spread of counterfeit goods, and complex jurisdictional barriers in grievance resolution. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (CPA, 2019) is then critically examined, highlighting the proactive approach taken by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) and the specific Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020. The article examines the CPA 2019’s present advantages, fundamental drawbacks, and implementation challenges, focusing on foreign entity enforcement and technological adaptation, while acknowledging it as a significant legislative development for India’s digital consumers. It ends with specific recommendations for strengthening enforcement, increasing consumer awareness, promoting regulatory agility, and utilising technology to create a digital marketplace that is safer, more transparent, and more equitable.