How e-business can secure
vital consumer confidence
Paris, 20
September 1999 -
The latest edition of e-Business World, ICC's newsletter on electronic commerce,
focuses on the issue of privacy protection and customers' fears of exposure
to fraud, and provides practical information on how e-business can secure vital
consumer confidence.
A lack of consumer confidence
is holding back developments in electronic commerce despite the massive growth
of internet use, according to a global e-commerce shopping survey carried out
by Consumers International. The survey revealed that traders frequently failed
to give crucial contract terms for sales, few gave information on how to seek
redress in case of complaint and in 11% of cases goods ordered simply never
arrived.
Louise Sylvan, chief executive
of the Australian Consumers' Association, warns that consumer confidence is
crucial for global e-commerce to realize its potential. "The fundamental question
is: what entity stands as the equivalent of the state to act of behalf of 'netizens'?",
she asks.
In the same issue of e-Business
World, Caroline Crawford of the UK Advertising Standards Authority gives examples
of how companies, through self-regulation, can create much of the required consumer
confidence without government involvement.
e-Business World is the
only publication dedicated to helping business negotiate the complexities of
institutions and politics in the constantly changing domain of electronic commerce,
providing practical information on key questions such as how e-business can
secure vital consumer confidence.
This new issue of e-Business
World also looks at the EU Privacy Directive and the "safe harbour" principles
currently being negotiated between the EU and the US with a discussion between
Barbara Wellbery of the US Department of Commerce and Susan Binns of the European
Commission. They debate US and European approaches to privacy protection and
outline the key legislation and self-regulatory mechanisms which will determine
the future of transatlantic exchange.
The ICC-produced newsletter
also covers regional developments in e-commerce, with a report on the startling
rise of e-c
ommerce and computerization in the Philippines. The article considers
the ambitions and economic impact of the government's National Information Technology
Plan, launched in 1997.
The next issue of e-Business
World will report on - among other matters - the recently established Global
Business Dialogue for Electronic Commerce which brings together senior business
representatives of from around the world.
e-Business world can be
ordered from ICC's Business
Bookstore or by contacting ICC Publishing.
Committee
on electronic commerce project