Consumer protection when purchasing goods on the Internet

Abstract

Considering the global spread of the use of modern technologies, the Internet is increasingly gaining popularity as a platform for trading. That is why the need to protect consumer rights when buying goods via the Internet keeps growing. In particular, the author considers the problem of implementing consumer rights when purchasing goods in online stores in Ukraine and Moldova. The study showed that Ukraine and Moldova are gaining huge rates of development in the internet trade sector, which is further intensified in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of lockdown. In this regard, the issue of compliance with consumer rights on the Internet is extremely relevant today. When studying the issue of consumer protection upon purchasing goods on the Internet, the author used a formal and logical method to determine the content of the main concepts, systematise the material, and obtain generalising conclusions within the framework of the subject matter. The comparative legal method helped identify trends and compare the legislation of Ukraine and the legislation of the Republic of Moldova in the context of consumer protection when purchasing goods on the Internet. According to the findings of the study, the legislative framework in the area of protecting the rights of consumers who purchase goods via the internet should be one of the priority areas of the world’s states. With regard to the legislation of Ukraine and Moldova in this area, it should be noted that given that Ukraine and Moldova have European integration aspirations, which in particular is reflected in the ratification of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU (European Union) of 2014, as well as the Association Agreement between Moldova and the EU of 2014, and the commitments made by these states to bring the legislation into line with the EU acquis, it is important to harmonise national legislation with EU standards in this area. In addition, the adoption of the concept of protecting the rights of consumers who purchase via the Internet is also important for Ukraine