Consumer protection in digital transactions in Medan

Abstract

The availability and security of the internet are the factors in determining the prosperity of a city. Medan has a high number of internet users, with 994,000 of the 2.2 million population having access to it (2017 data). Medan ranks third in the five largest online shopper cities in Indonesia. Therefore, Medan is quite potential and competitive in conducting digital business activities, also known as e-commerce. Such potential must be secured with the applicable law, especially protection for consumer law. This is legal research using a normative juridical method. Data was collected through a literature review and analyzed qualitatively. The results show that the government has already provided legal instruments in online transactions through Law No. 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection (CP Law) and Law No. 11 of 2008 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions as amended by Law No. 19 of 2016 concerning Amendment to Law No. 11 of 2008 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions (EIT Law) and Government Regulation Number 82 of 2012 concerning Electronic System and Transaction Applications. With a large number of internet users and online shoppers in Medan, the government must improve information technology-based infrastructure and e-commerce traders. Digital transaction activities should also be supported by strengthening the internet network security.