OFT Says That Compliance Online Does Not Click

The OFT has published its strategy, entitled "Protecting Consumers Online", which aims to enhance the level of online consumer protection offered in the UK.

With an estimated £50 billion spent by online consumers since the registration of the first "co.uk" domain name almost 25 years ago, the UK's internet economy is in a relatively strong position.  However, in order to support continued growth in this important sector, the OFT's current strategy stresses the importance of maintaining a high level of consumer trust as a pre-requisite to a successful internet economy.

The Government had previously identified barriers to consumer protection in its 2009 Consumer White Paper, which called for a "more coherent approach" to online consumer protection.  Following subsequent review and a period of consultation, this current strategy forms the OFT's initial response.