Consumer Choice on the Internet (Special reports)

Special reports published by EurActiv in April 2014.

+ EU bets on consumer rights to boost e-commerce
The European Commission is stepping up its efforts to inform and protect consumers when they shop online, in a bid to boost e-commerce.

+ Google search competition case may not be over
EU Competition commissioner Joaquin Almunia repeatedly tried to settle the Google search case, but serious concerns remained, which might open the way for a surprise ending in what is probably the most important legal battle for the future of e-commerce in Europe.

+ Consumer choice narrowing online
Long seen in Europe as a space for free choices, the Internet may turn into a more controlled environment where consumer decisions are increasingly conditioned in opaque ways, from the very moment they access the web, to the way they surf it.

+ Online consumer choice stifled by lack of competition
Consumer choice to access the best services at the most convenient prices depends on the availability of competing offers, a pillar of antitrust policy that is increasingly put into question by the growing power of online “free” services.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 04.04.14: EU bets on consumer rights to boost e-commerce http://www.euractiv.com/sections/consumer-choice-internet/eu-bets-consumer-rights-boost-e-commerce-301370

ESO: Background information: Consumer Rights: 10 ways the new EU Consumer Rights Directive will give people stronger rights when they shop online http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-consumer-rights-10-ways-the-new-eu-consumer-rights-directive-will-give-people-stronger-rights-when-they-shop-online/

EurActiv, 08.04.14: Google search competition case may not be over http://www.euractiv.com/sections/consumer-choice-internet/google-search-competition-case-may-not-be-over-301397

ESO: Background information: Antitrust: Commission obtains from Google comparable display of specialised search rivals http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-antitrust-commission-obtains-from-google-comparable-display-of-specialised-search-rivals/

EurActiv, 10.04.14: Consumer choice narrowing online http://www.euractiv.com/sections/consumer-choice-internet/consumer-choice-narrowing-online-301464

EurActiv, 11.04.14: Online consumer choice stifled by lack of competition http://www.euractiv.com/sections/consumer-choice-internet/online-consumer-choice-stifled-lack-competition-301505

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