Internet & telecommunication

"Consumers must be able to take informed decisions – on the Internet too."(Federal Minister Ilse Aigner)

New technologies and technical progress constantly change our lives. The Internet opens up undreamt-of opportunities for information, communication and shopping beyond national boundaries. These new business areas offer both opportunities and risks – particularly for young people: through new types of abuse, deception and misleading information – like for instance unsolicited advertising, Internet cost traps or "rip-offs" on the telephone. In order to effectively combat these malpractices, transparency must be improved, consent rights must be strengthened, confidentiality must be ensured and existing rules must be more strictly enforced.

At the same time, consumers must be encouraged to assume greater responsibility. The extensive set of measures of the Federal Government to combat unsolicited telephone advertising is designed to tackle the problems where they occur: in the sectors most affected by telephone advertising, in law enforcement and hidden contracts linked to telephone advertising.

The BMELV is in favour of clear contractual conditions and appropriate consumer rights: consumers should be in a position to take informed decisions.