Saudi Arabian E-commerce Law. A Step towards Consumer Protection

Abstract

Consumer protection is a widely debated issue in the E-Commerce and this is because the practical issues consumer face in online transactions are different from offline transactions. The remote interaction between a buyer and seller is based on the trust, and a consumer dealing with cross-border seller is always prone to risk of fraud and/or misleading conduct. The delivery of accurate product in accordance with agreed specifications as advertised on E-Commerce platform, the security of financial transactions, and the ease to return defective products are some of the challenges in E-Commerce from consumer perspective. The dynamics of pre-purchase and post-purchase issues in E-Commerce could be challenging for consumers in the absence of a clear and reliable policy and legal framework. With the changes in mechanics of business transactions also comes a wider challenge to the legal system. E-Commerce requires a lex-specialis to cope with the challenges. The law should not only protect the consumer but also increase the level of certainty for sellers in terms of rights, liabilities and obligations. In order to regulate the E-Commerce, Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step by issuing an E-Commerce law that will regulate the E-Commerce in Saudi Arabia.