Status: 01/30/2023 3:42 p.m
Wrong countdown counters or hidden information: In an inspection by the EU Commission, almost 40 percent of online shops used manipulative methods. Justice Commissioner Reynders calls for tougher action.
According to the EU Commission, more than every third online shop tries to manipulate consumers with prohibited means and, for example, urge them to make purchasing decisions. A check by the Brussels authorities and the responsible authorities of 25 European countries revealed that 148 of the 399 websites examined used at least one manipulative tactic, the EU Commission announced.
Retailers in the textile and electronics sectors, for example, were inspected last year. The online shops were examined for three manipulative methods in particular: hidden information, urging to buy or subscribe, and countdown timers that indicate incorrect deadlines for the purchase of certain products.
According to the research, 42 websites used fake countdown timers, 54 used visual design or language to urge consumers to make certain choices – from subscriptions to more expensive products or delivery options. In addition, 70 online shops had hidden important information or made it difficult to see. This included information on delivery costs, product composition or a cheaper alternative.
Violation of consumer protection rules
“This behavior is clearly wrong and violates consumer protection rules,” EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said in a statement. “I urge national authorities to use their law enforcement powers to take appropriate action to combat these practices.” The EU Commission is examining all consumer protection regulations in parallel to ensure that they are “adapted to the digital age”.