Epilog

The growth and profitability of ecommerce will not occur unless consumer protection is adequately provided. Unless econsumers are assured that safeguards which protect their rights in the traditional commerce will be preserved, if not enhanced, they would not be willing to participate in ecommerce. Since ecommerce is a global phenomenon, countries have a reason to adopt similar or equivalent policies and protection and redress mechanism which goes beyond the national boundaries. The ecommerce companies should recognize this right of the consumer and show flexibility by providing a consumer the higher level of protection in case of a dispute. Numerous consumer groups support the development of international consumer protection standards in the areas of: contracts, provision for cancellation, effective redress mechanisms, limits on consumer liability, non-enforceability of unreasonable contract provisions, recourse to the laws and courts of the consumer's jurisprudence, and cooperation among governments in support of legal redress. It is also to the advantage of credit card companies to be more open and help mediate differences: it is their social duty which should be, if required, legislated.

Privacy can be protected effectively in a variety of ways. The approach taken by different economies will undoubtedly mirror their histories and traditions. However, as a minimum, the ecommerce should give the econsumer an easy to use method of accessing the information they have on her, with an easy to use method to specify how she can change the way any part of this information is to be used. A sample of such an interface is illustrated in Figure .

There should also be a limit on the collection of personal data for consumers and any such data should be obtained by lawful and fair means, with the knowledge and consent of the consumer. Setting up a network solely for the interest of mining the information should be discouraged and if it continues, should be disallowed.

Finally, consumers must have confidence that the goods and services offered over ecommerce are truly represented, they will get what is being represented and are paying for, and that appropriate online dispute resolution[1] or local recourse for redress would be available.