Unit 33 – P6 Kojar Ahmed
The current UK government heavily supports the use of the internet for businesses, this is because
they recognise it as an important asset which is beneficial for both small and large businesses, it also
benefits the economy. However, the government also recognises that there are various risks and
safety concerns that come with using the internet, hence why they have recently set guidelines for
businesses through new legislation.
In January of 2009, the government published the interim of Digital Britain Report, this report set out
new and necessary changes which may be required if the UK wishes to support e-businesses even
further. A few changes that were involved were:
Modernising and upgrading the UK’s wired, wireless and broadcasting framework to sustain
Britain’s leading position as a digital economy.
Providing a favorable climate for investment and innovation in digital content, applications
and services.
Securing a range of high-quality public service content, particularly in the news.
Developing the nation’s digital skills, at all levels.
Securing universal access to broadband, increasing its take-up and using broadband to
deliver more public services more effectively and more efficiently.
As well as writing up a report that dictates the changes necessary to support e-businesses, the
government also put in place new legislation to protect both the business and the consumer when
buying products or services through the internet. This legislation would concern the sale of illegal
goods, displaying product information and digital receipts etc.
There are three main pieces of legislation that protect businesses, these are The E-Commerce
Regulations 2002, The Consumer Protection Distance Selling Regulations and The Data Protection Act
1998.
The key features of the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 are as follows:
Online selling and advertising is subject to the laws of the UK if the trader is established in
the UK. Online services provided from other member states may not be restricted. There are
exceptions, particularly for contracts with consumers and the freedom of parties to choose
the applicable law.
Recipients of online services must be given clearly defined information about the trader, the
nature of commercial communications and how to complete an online transaction.
Online service providers are exempt from liability for the content that they convey or store in
specified circumstances.
Changes were made to the powers of enforcement authorities, such as Trading Standards
Departments and the Office of Fair Trading.
Distance Selling Regulations give protection to consumers who shop by phone, mail order, via the
Internet or digital TV. This protection includes:
the right to receive clear information about goods and services before deciding to buy
confirmation of this information in writing
a cooling-off period of seven working days in which the consumer can withdraw from the
contract
protection from credit card fraud.
The current UK government heavily supports the use of the internet for businesses, this is because
they recognise it as an important asset which is beneficial for both small and large businesses, it also
benefits the economy. However, the government also recognises that there are various risks and
safety concerns that come with using the internet, hence why they have recently set guidelines for
businesses through new legislation.
In January of 2009, the government published the interim of Digital Britain Report, this report set out
new and necessary changes which may be required if the UK wishes to support e-businesses even
further. A few changes that were involved were:
Modernising and upgrading the UK’s wired, wireless and broadcasting framework to sustain
Britain’s leading position as a digital economy.
Providing a favorable climate for investment and innovation in digital content, applications
and services.
Securing a range of high-quality public service content, particularly in the news.
Developing the nation’s digital skills, at all levels.
Securing universal access to broadband, increasing its take-up and using broadband to
deliver more public services more effectively and more efficiently.
As well as writing up a report that dictates the changes necessary to support e-businesses, the
government also put in place new legislation to protect both the business and the consumer when
buying products or services through the internet. This legislation would concern the sale of illegal
goods, displaying product information and digital receipts etc.
There are three main pieces of legislation that protect businesses, these are The E-Commerce
Regulations 2002, The Consumer Protection Distance Selling Regulations and The Data Protection Act
1998.
The key features of the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 are as follows:
Online selling and advertising is subject to the laws of the UK if the trader is established in
the UK. Online services provided from other member states may not be restricted. There are
exceptions, particularly for contracts with consumers and the freedom of parties to choose
the applicable law.
Recipients of online services must be given clearly defined information about the trader, the
nature of commercial communications and how to complete an online transaction.
Online service providers are exempt from liability for the content that they convey or store in
specified circumstances.
Changes were made to the powers of enforcement authorities, such as Trading Standards
Departments and the Office of Fair Trading.
Distance Selling Regulations give protection to consumers who shop by phone, mail order, via the
Internet or digital TV. This protection includes:
the right to receive clear information about goods and services before deciding to buy
confirmation of this information in writing
a cooling-off period of seven working days in which the consumer can withdraw from the
contract
protection from credit card fraud.
