Consumer Protection in The New Digital Decade

Abstract

In this article, the effect of digitization, the use of the Internet and the Internet of Things on consumers in the EU in general and in Romania in particular is discussed. The research is linked to the legislation and policies for accelerating the digital transformation and to the concrete digital objectives pursued in the implementation of the Digital Decade at the level of the European Union. Creating new volumes of data through the implementation of digital services and technologies can create new issues related to data protection and therefore maintaining consumer confidence, confidentiality, access to data and their integrity. The right to information and the information of the average consumer are perhaps the most important aspects of consumer protection. These are key elements of the informed decisions that the consumer must make, in and about the digital environment, so that it is protected against risks and possible harm to its health, safety and fundamental rights. The research results reveal the vulnerability of Romanian consumers to the new reality imposed by the acceleration of digitalization at European level and proposes measures to reduce the digital divide in terms of digital skills.