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THE ROLE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS IN BUSINESS-TO-
CONSUMER (B2C) E-COMMERCE PLATFORMS IN INDIA: A
COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL AND REGULATORY ANALYSIS
Bha a h Rangana h
Independen Resea ch Schola , Cali o nia Public Uni e si y, Delawa e, Uni ed S a es o Ame ica
Ci e This A icle: Bha a h Rangana h, “The Role o Consume P o ec ion Laws in Business- o-
Consume (B2C) E-Comme ce Pla o ms in India: A Comp ehensi e Legal and Regula o y Analysis”,
In e na ional Jou nal o Cu en Resea ch and Mode n Educa ion, Volume 10, Issue 2, July - Decembe , Page
Numbe 94-106, 2025.
Copy Righ : © C ys al Pen Publica ion, 2025 (All Righ s Rese ed). This is an Open Access A icle dis ibu ed unde he
C ea i e Commons A ibu ion License, which pe mi s un es ic ed use, dis ibu ion, and ep oduc ion in any medium, p o ided
he o iginal wo k is p ope ly ci ed.
DOI:
Abs ac :
The apid p oli e a ion o Business- o-Consume (B2C) e-comme ce pla o ms in India o e he pas decade has
undamen ally ans o med consume pu chasing beha io , ma ke dynamics, and business ope a ions. Wi h India's e-comme ce
ma ke p ojec ed o exceed USD 200 billion by 2030, he e ec i e en o cemen o consume p o ec ion laws has become c i ical
o ensu ing ma ke in eg i y, consume con idence, and sus ainable indus y g ow h (Lloyd Law College, 2025). This
comp ehensi e esea ch pape examines he mul i ace ed ole o consume p o ec ion laws in egula ing B2C e-comme ce
pla o ms in India, analyzing he s a u o y amewo k, egula o y mechanisms, en o cemen challenges, and gaps in cu en
legisla ion. The p ima y legal ins umen s go e ning his sec o include he Consume P o ec ion Ac , 2019, he In o ma ion
Technology Ac , 2000, he Consume P o ec ion (E-Comme ce) Rules, 2020, he Compe i ion Ac , 2002, and eme ging da a
p o ec ion amewo ks. This s udy syn hesizes e idence om legal p eceden s, egula o y guidance, compliance epo s, and
empi ical esea ch o demons a e ha while India's consume p o ec ion legal amewo k has e ol ed signi ican ly o add ess he
unique challenges o digi al comme ce, c i ical gaps emain in en o cemen mechanisms, c oss-bo de ansac ion egula ion, and
pla o m accoun abili y s anda ds. The pape p o ides de ailed analysis o consume igh s, e-comme ce pla o m obliga ions,
g ie ance ed essal mechanisms, penal ies o non-compliance, and compa a i e insigh s om global egula o y models.
Recommenda ions a e o e ed o s eng hening legal en o cemen , imp o ing pla o m anspa ency, enhancing consume
awa eness, and de eloping specialized egula o y in as uc u e o B2C e-comme ce. This esea ch concludes ha a balanced
egula o y app oach combining s a u o y p o ec ions wi h indus y sel - egula ion and echnological solu ions is essen ial o
os e ing consume us while enabling sus ainable e-comme ce g ow h in India.
Key Wo ds: Consume P o ec ion Laws, B2C E-Comme ce, Consume P o ec ion Ac 2019, E-Comme ce Rules 2020, Pla o m
Accoun abili y, Consume Righ s, Regula o y F amewo k, India
1. In oduc ion:
1.1 Backg ound and Con ex :
India's digi al economy has unde gone unp eceden ed ans o ma ion o e he pas i een yea s, wi h Business- o-
Consume (B2C) e-comme ce eme ging as a dominan e ail channel and economic d i e (Jou na Fo mosa, 2023). The
con luence o in e ne pene a ion, sma phone p oli e a ion, digi al paymen in as uc u e, and e ol ing consume p e e ences
has ca alyzed explosi e g ow h in online e ail, wi h pla o ms such as Amazon India, Flipka , Snapdeal, and specialized e aile s
commanding inc easingly signi ican ma ke sha es (Wa eIQ, 2025).
The Indian e-comme ce ma ke , alued a app oxima ely USD 46 billion in 2023, is p ojec ed o each USD 200+ billion
by 2030, ep esen ing a compound annual g ow h a e o 20-25% (IJFMR, 2023). This g ow h ajec o y e lec s bo h expanding
online e ail by adi ional me chan s and he eme gence o digi al-na i e businesses o e ing goods and se ices exclusi ely
h ough online channels. Majo p oduc ca ego ies d i ing g ow h include elec onics, ashion, home appliances, g oce ies, and
digi al se ices, wi h geog aphic expansion om majo me opoli an cen e s o ie -2 and ie -3 ci ies accele a ing (Jou na
Fo mosa, 2023).
Pa allel o his comme cial expansion, he Indian go e nmen has ecognized ha he adi ional consume p o ec ion
legal amewo k o iginally designed o b ick-and-mo a e ail and con empo a y comme ce conduc ed h ough es ablished
dis ibu ion channels equi es undamen al adap a ion o add ess he unique cha ac e is ics and isks inhe en in digi al comme ce
(ACR Jou nal, 2025). The egula o y esponse has been mul i- ace ed, spanning s a u o y amendmen s, new ule-making, policy
ini ia i es, and en o cemen mechanism de elopmen .
1.2 The B2C E-Comme ce Phenomenon: Cha ac e is ics and Consume P o ec ion Implica ions:
Business- o-Consume e-comme ce undamen ally di e s om adi ional e ail in se e al dimensions ha c ea e dis inc
consume p o ec ion challenges:
Geog aphic Reach and Ju isdic ional Complexi y: B2C e-comme ce pla o ms ope a e ac oss s a e and na ional
bounda ies, enabling a consume in Delhi o pu chase p oduc s om a selle based in Tamil Nadu h ough a pla o m
egis e ed in a hi d ju isdic ion. This geog aphic dis ibu ion complica es iden i ica ion o applicable law, ju isdic ion o
dispu e esolu ion, and en o cemen o legal emedies (IJRPR, 2024).
In o ma ion Asymme y: Online ansac ions elimina e ace- o- ace in e ac ion be ween consume s and selle s,
p ecluding di ec inspec ion o goods be o e pu chase. P oduc in o ma ion is media ed en i ely h ough pla o m
in e aces, pho og aphs, desc ip ions, and selle a ings, c ea ing heigh ened isks o mis ep esen a ion o undisclosed
de ec s (Scholink, 2020).
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Veloci y and Scale: Digi al pla o ms can acili a e millions o ansac ions daily ac oss di e se p oduc ca ego ies and
selle ypes. The eloci y and scale o ansac ions c ea es challenges o manual o e sigh , complain esolu ion, and
en o cemen ac ions (Aga ama Law, 2022).
Anonymi y and Selle Ve i ica ion: Unlike adi ional e ail whe e consume s know he me chan iden i y and loca ion,
B2C pla o ms may comp ise housands o hi d-pa y selle s wi h limi ed e i ica ion mechanisms. This selle
he e ogenei y c ea es isks o coun e ei p oduc s, audulen ansac ions, and accoun abili y di usion (Lloyd Law
College, 2024).
Da a Accessibili y and P i acy Risks: B2C ansac ions gene a e as quan i ies o consume pe sonal da a ansac ion
his o ies, sea ch beha io s, paymen in o ma ion, loca ion da a which pla o ms can access, analyze, and u ilize o
ma ke ing o algo i hmic decision-making, c ea ing p i acy and da a secu i y isks unknown in adi ional comme ce
(IJRPR, 2024).
1.3 E olu ion o Indian Consume P o ec ion Legal F amewo k:
India's app oach o consume p o ec ion has e ol ed ac oss h ee dis inc legisla i e pe iods:
P e-E-Comme ce E a (1986-2000): The Consume P o ec ion Ac , 1986, es ablished ounda ional consume igh s
including he igh o sa e y, igh o in o ma ion, igh o choose, and igh o be hea d, alongside g ie ance ed essal
mechanisms h ough consume cou s (Lloyd Law College, 2024). Howe e , his amewo k p eda ed widesp ead e-
comme ce and was designed o con en ional e ail ansac ions.
E-Comme ce Eme gence Pe iod (2000-2019): The In o ma ion Technology Ac , 2000, p o ided ea ly s a u o y
ecogni ion o elec onic con ac s, digi al signa u es, and cybe secu i y liabili y, c ea ing a legal ounda ion o digi al
comme ce. Howe e , he IT Ac 's ocus on cybe law a he han consume p o ec ion le signi ican egula o y gaps in
B2C pla o ms (IJRPR, 2024).
Digi al Comme ce E a (2019-P esen ): The Consume P o ec ion Ac , 2019, he Consume P o ec ion (E-Comme ce)
Rules, 2020, and subsequen amendmen s ep esen comp ehensi e egula o y adap a ion o digi al comme ce challenges,
es ablishing pla o m-speci ic obliga ions, enhanced disclosu e equi emen s, g ie ance mechanisms, and en o cemen
p o isions (Wa eIQ, 2025).
1.4 Resea ch Objec i es and Scope:
This esea ch pape p o ides comp ehensi e examina ion o consume p o ec ion laws applicable o B2C e-comme ce
pla o ms in India. The speci ic objec i es a e:
To analyze he s a u o y and egula o y amewo k go e ning B2C e-comme ce consume p o ec ion
To examine consume igh s, pla o m obliga ions, and en o cemen mechanisms
To iden i y gaps and challenges in cu en legal amewo ks
To e alua e e ec i eness o g ie ance ed essal and en o cemen mechanisms
To p o ide e idence-based ecommenda ions o legal and egula o y imp o emen s
The pape ocuses on B2C e ail e-comme ce a he han B2B comme ce, C2C ma ke places, o inancial se ices, e lec ing
he dis inc egula o y challenges and consume p o ec ion equi emen s o di ec - o-consume online e ail ansac ions.
2. Legal and Regula o y F amewo k Go e ning B2C E-Comme ce in India:
2.1 P ima y S a u o y Ins umen s:
2.1.1 Consume P o ec ion Ac , 2019:
The Consume P o ec ion Ac , 2019 (CPA 2019) ep esen s he p ima y legisla i e ins umen go e ning consume
p o ec ion ac oss all comme ce sec o s in India, including B2C e-comme ce. The Ac undamen ally es uc u ed India's consume
p o ec ion legal amewo k by:
Expanding Consume De ini ion: The CPA 2019 de ines a consume mo e b oadly han he 1986 Ac , including
indi iduals who pu chase goods o se ices h ough elec onic means, e en i no he di ec paymen -make ( o example,
a gi ecipien using a gi ca d). This expansion ecognizes di e se e-comme ce ansac ion pa e ns (Lloyd Law
College, 2024).
Es ablishing Consume Righ s: The Ac codi ies six ounda ional consume igh s:
o Righ o Sa e y: P o ec ion agains goods/se ices ha ha m heal h, li e, o p ope y
o Righ o In o ma ion: Access o comple e, accu a e in o ma ion abou p oduc s, p ices, and e ms
o Righ o Choose: F eedom o selec p oduc s/se ices wi hou coe cion o manipula i e p ac ices
o Righ o be Hea d: Oppo uni y o aise complain s and be hea d du ing dispu e esolu ion
o Righ o Seek Red essal: Access o g ie ance mechanisms and compensa ion o losses
o Righ o Consume Educa ion: In o ma ion abou consume igh s and emedies
De ining E-Comme ce Pla o m Liabili y: The CPA 2019 explici ly add esses e-comme ce pla o ms, es ablishing ha
pla o m ope a o s canno e ade esponsibili y o de ec i e p oduc s o de icien se ices by claiming o me ely acili a e
ansac ions. This p o ision ep esen s signi ican e olu ion om he 1986 Ac , which p eda ed e-comme ce (Lloyd Law
College, 2024).
Es ablishing G ie ance Red essal Mechanisms: The Ac equi es e-comme ce pla o ms o appoin g ie ance o ice s,
es ablish complain esolu ion p ocedu es, and espond o consume complain s wi hin speci ied ime ames (Lloyd Law
College, 2025).
2.1.2 Consume P o ec ion (E-Comme ce) Rules, 2020:
The Consume P o ec ion (E-Comme ce) Rules, 2020 (E-Comme ce Rules), issued unde he s a u o y au ho i y o he
CPA 2019, es ablish de ailed ope a ional equi emen s o B2C e-comme ce pla o ms. Key p o isions include:
Manda o y Disclosu es: E-comme ce en i ies mus display on hei websi es/applica ions he comple e de ails o selle s,
including business add ess, con ac in o ma ion, and egula o y egis a ion numbe s (Legalka , 2025). P oduc
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in o ma ion mus include accu a e desc ip ions, p icing, e u n/ e und policies, wa an y de ails, and selle iden i y
(Lloyd Law College, 2025).
Selle Ve i ica ion and Au hen ica ion: While he Rules do no manda e pla o m p e-pu chase e i ica ion o e e y
selle , pla o ms a e equi ed o main ain and display selle c eden ials, enabling consume assessmen o selle eliabili y
(Wa eIQ, 2025).
Consen and O de Con i ma ion: The E-Comme ce Rules p ohibi pla o ms om eco ding consume consen o
pu chases h ough misleading in e ace designs o manipula i e de aul se ings. Consume s mus ac i ely and explici ly
consen o each ansac ion (Wa eIQ, 2025).
G ie ance Red essal Mechanism: Pla o ms mus es ablish g ie ance o ice s wi h published con ac in o ma ion,
accessible complain egis a ion sys ems, and commi men o espond o g ie ances wi hin speci ied ime ames. The
Rules speci y ha g ie ances mus be add essed wi hin hi y days, ex endable once o a maximum o o y- i e days
(Lloyd Law College, 2024).
P ohibi ion o Un ai T ade P ac ices: The E-Comme ce Rules p ohibi manipula i e p ac ices including:
o Flash sales in ol ing a i icial p ice in la ion ollowed by empo a y discoun s
o Rigging p oduc sea ch esul s o a o p e e ed selle s
o Exclusi e pa ne ships es ic ing p oduc a ailabili y
o P e e en ial ea men a o ing ce ain selle s (Wa eIQ, 2025)
Liabili y o Non-Compliance: Non-compliance wi h E-Comme ce Rules can esul in penal ies anging om ₹50,000 o
i s iola ions o ₹10,00,000 o subsequen iola ions, imp isonmen o up o h ee yea s in cases o in en ional
iola ions, and o de o compensa ion o a ec ed consume s (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
2.2 Suppo ing S a u o y F amewo k:
2.2.1 In o ma ion Technology Ac , 2000:
The In o ma ion Technology Ac , 2000 (IT Ac ), p o ides he ounda ional legal amewo k o elec onic con ac s,
digi al signa u es, and cybe secu i y in India. Key p o isions ele an o B2C e-comme ce include:
Legal Recogni ion o Elec onic Con ac s: Sec ion 10-A o he IT Ac es ablishes ha elec onic eco ds possess legal
alidi y equi alen o pape -based con ac s, enabling e-comme ce pla o ms o execu e binding sales con ac s h ough
digi al means (IJRPR, 2024).
Cybe secu i y Liabili y: Sec ion 43 es ablishes ci il liabili y o unau ho ized compu e access, da a in e cep ion, o
sys em damage, p o iding basis o consume claims agains pla o ms expe iencing da a b eaches. Sec ion 66
es ablishes c iminal liabili y o unau ho ized access o da a he (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
In e media y Liabili y: Sec ion 79 es ablishes "sa e ha bo " p o isions exemp ing in e media ies (including e-comme ce
pla o ms) om liabili y o hi d-pa y con en i hey comply wi h speci ied p ocedu al equi emen s. Howe e , his
p o ision is subjec o in e p e a ion ha in e media ies canno claim comple e immuni y i hey exe cise con ol o e
pla o m con en o ac i ely acili a e illegal ac i i y (IJRPR, 2024).
2.2.2 Compe i ion Ac , 2002:
The Compe i ion Ac , 2002 egula es an i-compe i i e p ac ices in e-comme ce, including:
P e en ing Exclusi e Ag eemen s: The Ac , as applied o e-comme ce h ough Compe i ion Commission o India (CCI)
en o cemen , p ohibi s ag eemen s be ween e-comme ce pla o ms and supplie s ha es ic he supplie 's abili y o sell
h ough compe ing pla o ms (T ade.go , 2024). Howe e , he Ac pe mi s easonable exclusi i y a angemen s o
limi ed pe iods (Agamalaw, 2022).
P e en ing Abuse o Dominance: Dominan e-comme ce pla o ms a e p ohibi ed om abusing ma ke posi ion h ough
p eda o y p icing, exclusiona y conduc owa d compe ing selle s, o o he p ac ices ha ming compe i ion (IJRPR, 2024).
Moni o ing P eda o y P icing: The CCI sc u inizes e-comme ce discoun ing p ac ices, pa icula ly "loss leade " selling o
disc imina o y p icing ha may be p eda o y a he han compe i i e (T ade.go , 2024).
Rela ed Pa y P o ec ions: The Compe i ion Ac es ic s p e e en ial ea men o ela ed pa ies, equi ing ha e-
comme ce pla o ms no a o a ilia ed selle s in sea ch ankings, p icing algo i hms, o p omo ional access (Wa eIQ,
2025).
2.2.3 Da a P o ec ion and P i acy F amewo k:
India's da a p o ec ion legal amewo k, s ill e ol ing, includes:
Digi al Pe sonal Da a P o ec ion Ac , 2023 (DPDPA): Recen ly enac ed, he DPDPA es ablishes equi emen s o
collec ion, p ocessing, and u iliza ion o pe sonal da a by e-comme ce pla o ms. Key p o isions equi e:
o Explici consume consen be o e da a collec ion o p ocessing
o Da a secu i y measu es and enc yp ion s anda ds
o Appoin men o da a p o ec ion o ice s o la ge da a p ocesso s
o No i ica ion equi emen s o da a b eaches
o Righ s o access, co ec ion, and dele ion o pe sonal da a
o Subs an ial penal ies (up o ₹250 c o es) o iola ions (IJRPR, 2024)
In o ma ion Technology (Reasonable Secu i y P ac ices and P ocedu es and Sensi i e Pe sonal Da a o In o ma ion) Rules,
2011: These ules es ablish da a secu i y s anda ds o pla o ms handling consume paymen in o ma ion, inancial da a,
and heal h in o ma ion (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
2.3 Fo eign Di ec In es men (FDI) Policy and Regula o y Cons ain s:
The Fo eign Di ec In es men Policy go e ning e-comme ce pla o ms es ablishes:
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Ma ke place s. In en o y Model Dis inc ion: FDI policy dis inguishes be ween ma ke place models (whe e pla o ms
acili a e sales by hi d-pa y selle s) and in en o y models (whe e pla o ms di ec ly own in en o y and sell o
consume s). Ma ke place models pe mi 100% FDI; in en o y models ace FDI es ic ions (Wa eIQ, 2025).
Selle Di e si y Requi emen s: FDI policy es ic s he p opo ion o sales ha any single endo can accoun o on a
pla o m, ypically limi ing single- endo sales o 25% o pla o m ansac ion alue. This p o ision p e en s dominan
selle ela ionships ha could cons i u e in en o y model ope a ions (T ade.go , 2024).
Mul i-B and Re ail Res ic ions: Mul i-b and e ail e-comme ce aces FDI caps o 51% o o eign in es men in ce ain
ca ego ies, p o ec ing domes ic e aile s om o eign acquisi ion (Wa eIQ, 2025).
2.4 In eg a ed Legal F amewo k O e iew:
The consume p o ec ion legal amewo k go e ning B2C e-comme ce in India comp ises mul iple in e connec ed
s a u o y ins umen s, egula o y ules, and en o cemen mechanisms wo king in conce o p o ec consume in e es s while
enabling sus ainable e-comme ce g ow h. The hie a chical ela ionship among hese amewo k componen s is illus a ed in
Figu e below.
Figu e 1: Hie a chical Indian Consume P o ec ion Legal F amewo k o B2C E-Comme ce
3. Consume Righ s in B2C E-Comme ce T ansac ions:
3.1 Subs an i e Consume Righ s:
The Consume P o ec ion Ac , 2019, and suppo ing egula ions es ablish comp ehensi e consume igh s in B2C e-
comme ce con ex s:
3.1.1 Righ o Sa e y and Quali y Assu ance:
Consume s ha e he igh o ecei e goods ha :
A e no de ec i e o subs anda d
Mee he desc ip ion, quali y, and speci ica ions ep esen ed by selle s o pla o ms
Do no ha m consume heal h, p ope y, o sa e y
Comply wi h applicable sa e y s anda ds and egula ions (Lloyd Law College, 2024)
E-comme ce pla o ms bea join esponsibili y wi h selle s o ensu ing p oduc quali y. Pla o ms canno disclaim
esponsibili y by cha ac e izing hemsel es as me e acili a o s. I a consume ecei es de ec i e goods, he consume can
pu sue emedies agains ei he he selle o he pla o m, wi h pla o ms bea ing esponsibili y o add ess de ec s o
p o ide compensa ion (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
3.1.2 Righ o In o ma ion and T anspa ency:
Consume s ha e comp ehensi e igh s o accu a e p oduc in o ma ion including:
P oduc Desc ip ion: Comple e, accu a e desc ip ions o goods including ma e ials, composi ion, size, colo , and
unc ional cha ac e is ics (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
P icing In o ma ion: Clea display o p oduc p ices, applicable axes, shipping cha ges, and o he ees be o e inal
pu chase. Pla o ms canno use manipula i e in e ace design o obscu e cos s o add undisclosed ees (Wa eIQ, 2025).
Selle Iden i y: Comple e in o ma ion abou he selle including business name, egis e ed add ess, phone numbe , email,
and egula o y egis a ion numbe s, enabling consume e i ica ion o selle legi imacy (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
Re u n/Re und Policies: Clea disclosu e o applicable e u n windows, e und p ocessing ime ames, es ocking ees (i
any), and p ocedu es o ini ia ing e u ns. The E-Comme ce Rules es ablish ha selle s canno impose un easonably
es ic i e e u n policies o cha ge excessi e es ocking ees (Wa eIQ, 2025).
Wa an y and Gua an ee In o ma ion: Clea communica ion o applicable p oduc wa an ies, gua an ee pe iods, and
co e age limi a ions (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
Te ms and Condi ions: Accessible, unde s andable s a emen s o pla o m e ms o se ice, dispu e esolu ion p ocedu es,
liabili y limi a ions, and applicable law (IJRPR, 2024).
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3.1.3 Righ o Choice and F eedom om Manipula i e P ac ices:
Consume s ha e he igh o:
F ee Selec ion: Choose p oduc s and se ices wi hou coe cion, p essu e, o manipula i e in e ace design (known as
"da k pa e ns"). Pla o ms canno use in e ace manipula ion, a i icial u gency c ea ion (such as alse sca ci y
indica o s), o algo i hmic manipula ion o o e ide consume choice (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
In o med Decision-Making: Make pu chasing decisions based on accu a e in o ma ion a he han manipula ed a ings,
e iews, o p oduc ankings. The CPA 2019 p ohibi s ake e iews, e iew manipula ion, o algo i hm-based sea ch
esul igging designed o mislead consume s (Wa eIQ, 2025).
Re e sal o T ansac ions: Consume s can cancel o de s be o e shipmen o wi hin speci ied e u n windows ( ypically 7-
30 days depending on p oduc ca ego y) (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
3.1.4 Righ o Remedy and Compensa ion:
When consume s su e losses om de ec i e goods, de icien se ices, o un ai ade p ac ices, hey ha e
comp ehensi e igh s o:
Repai o Replacemen : Consume s can demand epai o de ec i e p oduc s o eplacemen wi h unc ioning p oduc s o
equi alen speci ica ion (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
Re und: Full o pa ial e unds as app op ia e o de ec i e goods, non- eceip o p oduc s, o unau ho ized ansac ions
(Lloyd Law College, 2025).
Compensa ion: Mone a y compensa ion o damages, losses, o inju ies esul ing om de ec i e goods o de icien
se ices. Compensa ion can include:
o Di ec losses (pu chase p ice o de ec i e goods)
o Inciden al losses ( e u n shipping, eplacemen pu chases)
o Consequen ial damages (loss o use, business in e up ion)
o Non-pecunia y damages (incon enience, dis ess) in app op ia e cases (Lloyd Law College, 2024)
Penal y o Viola ion: Consume s can seek penal ies om pla o ms o selle s o iola ions o consume igh s, including
penal ies o misleading ad e isemen s, un ai ade p ac ices, o b each o obliga ions (IJRPR, 2024).
3.1.5 Righ o G ie ance Red essal and Jus ice:
Consume s ha e he igh o:
File Complain s: Access accessible complain mechanisms h ough which consume s can egis e g ie ances ega ding
de ec i e p oduc s, de icien se ices, o un ai ade p ac ices (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
Timely Resolu ion: Recei e esponses o complain s wi hin speci ied ime ames (30 days, ex endable o 45 days) and
pa icipa e in dispu e esolu ion p oceedings (Wa eIQ, 2025).
Mul iple Resolu ion Fo ums: Access consume ed essal h ough mul iple channels including:
o Pla o m g ie ance o ice s (adminis a i e mechanism)
o Dis ic Consume Dispu es Red essal Commissions (judicial mechanism)
o Online Dispu e Resolu ion (ODR) sys ems (eme ging mechanism)
o Consume Ad ocacy G oups ( ep esen a i e mechanism) (Lloyd Law College, 2024)
Appeal Mechanisms: Appeal ad e se g ie ance decisions o highe consume cou s (S a e Commission o Na ional
Commission) (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
3.2 Speci ic P o ec ions o E-Comme ce T ansac ions:
3.2.1 P o ec ion Agains De ec i e Goods:
The CPA 2019 es ablishes ha goods a e de ec i e i hey:
Do no co espond o he desc ip ion, quali y, o speci ica ion ep esen ed
A e un i o pu pose o dina ily con empla ed o simila goods
Fail o comply wi h applicable sa e y s anda ds o egula ions
Show signs o p e ious use o damage inconsis en wi h new goods (Lloyd Law College, 2024)
Fo de ec i e goods disco e ed a e pu chase, consume s can pu sue emedies wi hin a easonable ime pe iod ( ypically
6 mon hs o consume -ini ia ed complain s unde CPA 2019, hough longe pe iods may apply unde manu ac u e wa an ies o
gua an ees) (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
3.2.2 P o ec ion Agains F audulen T ansac ions:
Consume s a e p o ec ed agains :
Unau ho ized T ansac ions: I audulen cha ges appea on consume accoun s wi hou au ho iza ion, pla o ms mus
e und consume s, in es iga e unau ho ized access, and s eng hen secu i y measu es. Pla o ms bea liabili y o aud
acili a ed by hei negligen secu i y p ac ices (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
Coun e ei P oduc s: Consume s can pu sue emedies i hey ecei e coun e ei , imi a ion, o g ay-ma ke goods
ep esen ed as genuine p oduc s. E-comme ce pla o ms sha e esponsibili y wi h selle s o e i ying p oduc
au hen ici y (IJRPR, 2024).
Impe sona ion: I consume s a e decei ed by alse selle iden i y o pla o m impe sona ion, hey can pu sue emedies
and damages (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
3.2.3 P o ec ion Agains Misleading Ad e ising:
The CPA 2019 es ablishes s ic liabili y o misleading ad e isemen s, de ining misleading ad e isemen as any
ad e isemen ha alsely desc ibes ma e ial cha ac e is ics o goods/se ices o makes unsubs an ia ed pe o mance claims. E-
comme ce pla o ms can be held liable o :
Displaying misleading p oduc desc ip ions
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Publishing ake o manipula ed e iews
Making alse claims abou p oduc bene i s o e icacy
Failing o disclose ma e ial limi a ions o disclaime s (Lloyd Law College, 2025)
Penal ies o misleading ad e ising include ines up o ₹25,00,000 and imp isonmen up o wo yea s o indi iduals
esponsible (Wa eIQ, 2025).
4. E-Comme ce Pla o m Obliga ions and Accoun abili y:
4.1 Manda o y Compliance Obliga ions:
The Consume P o ec ion (E-Comme ce) Rules, 2020, and suppo ing legal amewo ks es ablish comp ehensi e
pla o m obliga ions:
4.1.1 Regis a ion and Regula o y Compliance:
Manda o y Regis a ion: E-comme ce en i ies mus egis e wi h he Depa men o P omo ion o Indus y and In e nal
T ade (DPIIT) and display egis a ion numbe s on hei pla o ms and cus ome in oices (Wa eIQ, 2025).
Ope a ional T anspa ency: Pla o ms mus main ain and publicly disclose:
o Te ms and condi ions o pla o m ope a ion
o P i acy policies and da a handling p ac ices
o Re u n, e und, and exchange policies
o G ie ance ed essal p ocedu es
o Paymen secu i y p ac ices
o Selle e i ica ion p ocesses (Lloyd Law College, 2025)
Regula o y Compliance Ce i ica ion: Pla o ms mus comply wi h GST egis a ion, ax wi hholding obliga ions, and
any sec o -speci ic egula o y equi emen s o pa icula p oduc ca ego ies (such as pha maceu icals, alcohol, o
haza dous goods) (IJRPR, 2024).
4.1.2 Selle Ve i ica ion and Accoun abili y:
Selle Sc eening: While pla o ms need no conduc exhaus i e p e-sale e i ica ion o e e y selle , hey mus implemen
easonable selle e i ica ion p ocesses including:
o Iden i y e i ica ion h ough PAN/Aadhaa o business egis a ion documen s
o Add ess e i ica ion h ough independen sou ces
o Pe iodic e- e i ica ion o selle in o ma ion
o Sc eening o selle s wi h p io iola ions o complain s (Lloyd Law College, 2024)
In o ma ion Display: Pla o ms mus display e i ied selle in o ma ion including business name, add ess, phone numbe ,
and egula o y egis a ion numbe s, enabling consume assessmen o selle legi imacy and backg ound esea ch (Lloyd
Law College, 2025).
Selle Accoun abili y: Pla o ms a e esponsible o selle s ope a ing on hei pla o ms. I selle s engage in aud,
mis ep esen a ion, o iola ion o consume igh s, pla o ms canno e ade liabili y h ough con ac ual disclaime s.
Pla o ms mus espond o complain s, in es iga e selle iola ions, and suspend o delis selle s engaging in audulen o
illegal ac i i y (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
4.1.3 P oduc In o ma ion Accu acy:
Manda o y Disclosu es: Pla o ms and selle s mus display:
o Comple e, accu a e p oduc desc ip ions including all ma e ial cha ac e is ics
o P oduc p icing including all applicable ees and axes
o P oduc images ha accu a ely ep esen he ac ual p oduc
o Applicable wa an ies, gua an ees, and a e -sales se ice de ails
o Coun y o o igin in o ma ion
o Ce i ica ions o egula o y app o als (such as ISI, FSSAI, o BIS ma ks) (Lloyd Law College, 2025)
P ohibi ed P ac ices: Pla o ms and selle s canno :
o Use misleading pho og aphs o images
o Omi ma e ial p oduc cha ac e is ics
o Make unsubs an ia ed pe o mance claims
o In la e speci ica ions o quali y desc ip ions (Wa eIQ, 2025)
Responsibili y o Thi d-Pa y Con en : E en i selle s inpu p oduc in o ma ion, pla o ms a e join ly esponsible o
accu acy. Pla o ms mus implemen con en e iew p ocesses o iden i y ob iously alse o misleading in o ma ion
be o e p oduc s appea o sale (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
4.1.4 Paymen Secu i y and Da a P o ec ion:
Secu e Paymen Sys ems: Pla o ms mus implemen indus y-s anda d paymen secu i y measu es including:
o PCI-DSS (Paymen Ca d Indus y Da a Secu i y S anda d) compliance o paymen p ocessing
o Enc yp ed ansmission o sensi i e inancial da a
o Tokeniza ion o simila echniques o p e en s o age o comple e paymen ca d de ails
o Two- ac o au hen ica ion o high- alue ansac ions (Lloyd Law College, 2025)
Da a P o ec ion: Pla o ms mus comply wi h da a p o ec ion laws by:
o Ob aining explici consume consen be o e collec ing pe sonal da a
o Main aining consume da a con iden iali y and implemen ing da a secu i y measu es
o Res ic ing da a usage o s a ed pu poses
o P o iding consume s access o hei da a and abili y o eques dele ion
o No i ying consume s o da a b eaches wi hin speci ied ime ames (IJRPR, 2024)
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Res ic ed Use: Pla o ms canno sell o lease consume pe sonal da a o hi d pa ies wi hou explici consen and canno
use consume da a o unau ho ized pu poses such as poli ical p o iling o manipula i e ma ke ing (Lloyd Law College,
2025).
4.1.5 G ie ance Red essal Mechanism:
The E-Comme ce Rules es ablish manda o y g ie ance ed essal equi emen s:
G ie ance O ice : Pla o ms mus appoin a dedica ed G ie ance O ice wi h published con ac in o ma ion (email,
phone, physical add ess) esponsible o ecei ing and add essing consume complain s (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
Accessible Complain Regis a ion: Pla o ms mus p o ide accessible mechanisms o complain egis a ion including
online o ms, email channels, and phone lines. Complain s should be egis e ed wi hin one business day o submission
(Wa eIQ, 2025).
In es iga ion and Response: Upon complain eceip , pla o ms mus :
o Acknowledge complain wi hin wo days
o In es iga e he complain subs an i ely
o P o ide de ailed esponse wi hin hi y days (o o y- i e days i ex ension needed)
o O e emedy ( eplacemen , e und, epai ) i complain is upheld
o Main ain complain eco ds o wo yea s (Lloyd Law College, 2025)
Escala ion Mechanism: I consume s a e unsa is ied wi h g ie ance o ice decisions, hey mus be in o med o igh s o
escala e complain s o Dis ic Consume Dispu es Red essal Commissions o Online Dispu e Resolu ion sys ems (Lloyd
Law College, 2024).
4.2 Pla o m Liabili y F amewo k:
4.2.1 Join and Se e al Liabili y:
A c i ical e olu ion in Indian consume p o ec ion law is he es ablishmen ha e-comme ce pla o ms canno escape
liabili y by claiming o be me e in e media ies o acili a o s:
Pla o m Responsibili y o Selle s: Pla o ms a e join ly liable wi h selle s o de ec i e p oduc s o de icien se ices.
Consume s can pu sue emedies agains ei he he selle o he pla o m, wi h pla o ms bea ing p ima y esponsibili y i
selle s a e di icul o loca e o unable o p o ide emedies (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
Non-Delegable Du y: Pla o ms ha e non-delegable du ies o:
o Ensu e p oduc s sold on pla o ms comply wi h applicable laws and sa e y s anda ds
o Ve i y selle legi imacy and eliabili y
o Add ess complain s and p o ide emedies o de ec i e p oduc s
o Remo e coun e ei , audulen , o p ohibi ed p oduc s om pla o ms (IJRPR, 2024)
No Liabili y Exemp ion: Con ac ual e ms pu po ing o exemp pla o ms om liabili y o selle conduc iola e he
CPA 2019 and a e unen o ceable. Pla o ms canno use e ms o se ice disclaime s o e ade consume p o ec ion
obliga ions (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
4.2.2 Liabili y o Pla o m-Facili a ed F aud:
Pla o ms a e liable o audulen ansac ions acili a ed by:
Inadequa e selle e i ica ion o au hen ica ion
Negligen secu i y p ac ices enabling paymen aud
Failu e o implemen easonable an i- aud sa egua ds
Inadequa e de ec ion o audulen selle pa e ns (Lloyd Law College, 2024)
I consume s su e losses om aud acili a ed by pla o m negligence, pla o ms mus p o ide compensa ion.
Howe e , i consume s engage in con ibu o y negligence (such as sha ing paymen c eden ials wi h s ange s), hei
compensa ion may be educed (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
4.2.3 Liabili y o De ec i e o Coun e ei P oduc s:
Pla o ms a e liable o :
De ec i e P oduc s: I selle s p o ide de ec i e p oduc s ailing o mee desc ibed speci ica ions o quali y s anda ds,
pla o ms mus add ess consume complain s h ough e und, eplacemen , o epai . Pla o ms canno disclaim
esponsibili y by ci ing selle conduc (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
Coun e ei P oduc s: I consume s ecei e coun e ei p oduc s ep esen ed as genuine, pla o ms a e liable o aud
emedies including ull e und plus compensa ion o losses (IJRPR, 2024).
P ohibi ed P oduc s: I pla o ms pe mi sale o p ohibi ed p oduc s (na co ics, weapons, coun e ei goods, s olen
p ope y), pla o ms bea liabili y o acili a ion o illegal ansac ions (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
5. G ie ance Red essal and Dispu e Resolu ion Mechanisms:
5.1 Hie a chical G ie ance Red essal F amewo k:
Indian consume p o ec ion law es ablishes a hie a chical s uc u e o g ie ance ed essal mechanisms:
5.1.1 Adminis a i e Red essal: Pla o m G ie ance O ice s:
Fi s Le el: Consume complain s a e ini ially di ec ed o e-comme ce pla o m g ie ance o ice s h ough con ac
mechanisms (email, phone, online o m) published on pla o m websi es and applica ions.
Timeline: Pla o ms mus acknowledge complain s wi hin wo days and p o ide de ailed esponses wi hin hi y days
(ex endable o o y- i e days i u he in es iga ion equi ed).
Resolu ion: I pla o ms uphold complain s, hey mus p o ide emedies including e und, eplacemen , epai , o
compensa ion as app op ia e.
Appeal: I consume s a e dissa is ied wi h g ie ance o ice decisions, hey e ain igh s o escala e o consume cou s
(Lloyd Law College, 2025).
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5.1.2 Judicial Red essal: Consume Dispu es Red essal Commissions:
Ju isdic ional S uc u e: India main ains a h ee- ie consume dispu e ed essal sys em:
Dis ic Commission: Fo consume complain s in ol ing claimed losses below ₹1 c o e ( ecen ly inc eased om ₹1
c o e), Dis ic Commissions hea complain s and issue binding o de s o compensa ion, eplacemen s, epai s, o o he
emedies (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
S a e Commission: Fo complain s in ol ing losses be ween ₹1 c o e and ₹10 c o es, S a e Commissions p o ide
appella e e iew o Dis ic Commission decisions and o iginal ju isdic ion o mul i-s a e ansac ions (Lloyd Law
College, 2025).
Na ional Commission: Fo complain s exceeding ₹10 c o es and ma e s o na ional signi icance, he Na ional
Commission p o ides appella e ju isdic ion and o iginal ju isdic ion o complex cases (IJRPR, 2024).
P ocedu al E iciency: Consume commissions ollow simpli ied p ocedu es designed o speed and consume access,
including:
o Reduced iling ees compa ed o ci il cou s
o Flexibili y in e idence p esen a ion
o Powe o awa d exempla y damages o eg egious iola ions
o Au ho i y o o de in e im elie pending inal adjudica ion (Lloyd Law College, 2024)
5.2 Eme ging Mechanisms: Online Dispu e Resolu ion:
Recognizing ha adi ional g ie ance p ocedu es and consume cou s may be slow o inaccessible o online ansac ion
dispu es, India is de eloping Online Dispu e Resolu ion (ODR) mechanisms:
ODR Pla o ms:
Minis y o Consume A ai s has launched ODR pla o ms enabling:
Online complain egis a ion
Au oma ed p e-li iga ion nego ia ion be ween consume s and businesses
Media ion se ices ia ideo con e encing
Fas e esolu ion compa ed o adi ional cou s ( ypically 30-60 days s. 1-2 yea s o consume cou s) (Lloyd Law
College, 2025)
Manda o y Pla o m Pa icipa ion:
E-comme ce pla o ms a e inc easingly equi ed o egis e on ODR sys ems and pa icipa e in ODR esolu ion o
eligible complain s (Wa eIQ, 2025).
Ad an ages o E-Comme ce:
ODR is pa icula ly sui ed o e-comme ce dispu es because:
T ansac ions occu en i ely elec onically, making digi al dispu e esolu ion na u al
Digi al e idence (o de con i ma ions, communica ion eco ds, digi al paymen s) is easily p esen ed
Geog aphic bounda ies a e i ele an in online dispu e esolu ion
Cos s a e subs an ially lowe han adi ional li iga ion (Lloyd Law College, 2024)
5.3 Class Ac ion and Rep esen a i e Remedies:
The CPA 2019 in oduced class ac ion p ocedu es enabling:
Rep esen a i e Ac ions: Consume ad ocacy o ganiza ions can ile complain s on behal o mul iple consume s su e ing
om iden ical iola ions (such as iden ical de ec s ac oss a p oduc ba ch o iden ical misleading ma ke ing campaigns)
(Lloyd Law College, 2024).
G oup Compensa ion: Ra he han equi ing indi idual complain s om each a ec ed consume , class ac ions enable
single legal p oceedings add essing housands o a ec ed consume s simul aneously (IJRPR, 2024).
S a egic Impo ance: Class ac ion p o isions a e pa icula ly signi ican o e-comme ce because pla o m iola ions
o en a ec la ge consume g oups simul aneously. Fo example, i a pla o m implemen s a decep i e in e ace p ac ice
o sells a de ec i e p oduc ba ch, housands o consume s may be a ec ed and en i led o emedies (Lloyd Law College,
2025).
6. En o cemen and Penal ies o Non-Compliance:
6.1 Ci il Penal ies:
The Consume P o ec ion Ac , 2019 es ablishes ci il penal ies o pla o m and selle iola ions:
Pecunia y Penal ies: Fo iola ions o consume igh s o ailu e o comply wi h pla o m obliga ions, penal ies include:
o ₹50,000 o i s iola ions
o ₹10,00,000 o second and subsequen iola ions (Lloyd Law College, 2025)
Penal y Au ho i y: Dis ic Consume Commissions, S a e Commissions, and Na ional Commission ha e au ho i y o
impose penal ies in conjunc ion wi h di ec ing emedies such as e unds o eplacemen s (IJRPR, 2024).
Exempla y Damages: In cases o eg egious o epea ed iola ions, consume cou s can awa d exempla y damages
(addi ional compensa ion beyond ac ual losses) o de e u u e iola ions and punish co po a e misconduc (Lloyd Law
College, 2025).
Injunc i e Relie : Consume cou s can issue injunc ions p ohibi ing pla o ms om con inuing illegal p ac ices,
emo ing p ohibi ed p oduc s om sales, o o he wise p e en ing ongoing consume ha m (IJRPR, 2024).
6.2 C iminal Penal ies:
The Consume P o ec ion Ac , 2019 es ablishes c iminal penal ies o se ious iola ions:
Misleading Ad e ising: Indi iduals o co po a e o ice s esponsible o publishing misleading ad e isemen s can ace:
o Fines up o ₹25,00,000
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o Imp isonmen up o wo yea s (Wa eIQ, 2025)
Un ai T ade P ac ices: Engaging in sys ema ic un ai ade p ac ices can esul in:
o Fines up o ₹50,00,000
o Imp isonmen up o h ee yea s (Lloyd Law College, 2025)
F aud and Mis ep esen a ion: Fo in en ional aud o se ious mis ep esen a ion, penal ies can ex end o:
o Fines p opo ional o losses caused
o Imp isonmen up o i e yea s (IJRPR, 2024)
6.3 Adminis a i e and Regula o y Ac ions:
Beyond ci il and c iminal penal ies, egula o y au ho i ies can ake adminis a i e ac ions:
Pla o m Delis ing o Suspension: The DPIIT o sec o egula o s can suspend o delis e-comme ce pla o ms om
app o ed egis ies o sys ema ic iola ions (Wa eIQ, 2025).
Ope a ional Res ic ions: Au ho i ies can impose ope a ional es ic ions such as equi emen o ob ain egula o y
app o al be o e adding new selle s o p oduc ca ego ies (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
Selle Deac i a ion: Pla o ms can be equi ed o immedia ely suspend o pe manen ly delis selle s engaged in aud o
epea ed iola ions (IJRPR, 2024).
In es iga ion and Inqui y: Go e nmen agencies including Minis y o Consume A ai s, CCI, and law en o cemen can
in es iga e pla o m conduc , subpoena eco ds, and in e iew pe sonnel (Lloyd Law College, 2024).
6.4 En o cemen Challenges:
Despi e es ablishmen o comp ehensi e penal ies, en o cemen aces signi ican challenges:
Resou ce Cons ain s: Consume cou s and egula o y agencies a e subs an ially unde - esou ced ela i e o complain
olumes, esul ing in case backlogs exceeding 2-3 yea s in many ju isdic ions (ACR Jou nal, 2025).
Technical Complexi y: Many iola ions in ol e complex echnical o algo i hmic p ac ices ha a e di icul o non-
specialis judges and in es iga o s o unde s and and e alua e (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
C oss-Bo de En o cemen : Many audulen selle s ope a e om ou side India o h ough shell companies, complica ing
e o s o loca e and p osecu e iola o s (IJRPR, 2024).
Pla o m Coope a ion: E ec i e en o cemen depends on pla o m coope a ion in p o iding e idence, conduc ing
in es iga ions, and implemen ing emedies. Some pla o ms espond inconsis en ly o en o cemen eques s (Lloyd Law
College, 2024).
7. Iden i ied Gaps and Challenges in Cu en Legal F amewo k:
7.1 Subs an i e Legal Gaps:
7.1.1 Insu icien Algo i hmic T anspa ency:
While consume p o ec ion laws equi e pla o ms o p o ide in o ma ion enabling in o med decision-making, hey
p o ide limi ed mechanisms o anspa ency ega ding algo i hmic p ac ices ha undamen ally shape consume expe ience:
Sea ch Resul Algo i hms: Pla o ms employ sophis ica ed algo i hms de e mining which p oduc s appea in sea ch
esul s and in wha o de . These algo i hms may be in luenced by selle ela ionships, pla o m inancial in e es s, o
da a-d i en p edic ions o consume con e sion p obabili y. While he E-Comme ce Rules nominally p ohibi sea ch
esul manipula ion, he ules p o ide limi ed mechanism o consume s o egula o s o e i y algo i hmic ai ness
(Lloyd Law College, 2025).
Recommenda ion Algo i hms: E-comme ce pla o ms employ machine lea ning algo i hms gene a ing pe sonalized
p oduc ecommenda ions. These algo i hms may op imize o pla o m p o i a he han consume bene i ,
ecommending highe -ma gin p oduc s o using beha io al manipula ion echniques. Cu en legal amewo k p o ides
limi ed basis o challenging algo i hmic ecommenda ion p ac ices (ACR Jou nal, 2025).
P ice Dynamic Algo i hms: Some pla o ms employ p ice di e en ia ion algo i hms a ying p ices based on consume
cha ac e is ics (loca ion, b owsing his o y, pu chase his o y). While p ice disc imina ion is no inhe en ly illegal, he
p ac ice lacks anspa ency and may disp opo iona ely impac disad an aged consume s who ecei e highe p ices
(Lloyd Law College, 2024).
Recommended Re o m: Legisla ion should equi e algo i hmic anspa ency o sea ch esul s, ecommenda ions, and
p icing, including disclosu e o ma e ial algo i hmic ac o s and consume igh s o challenge disc imina o y algo i hmic
p ac ices.
7.1.2 Ambiguous Pla o m Liabili y o Thi d-Pa y Con en :
While he CPA 2019 es ablishes pla o m esponsibili y o selle conduc , ce ain scena ios emain legally ambiguous:
Use -Gene a ed Con en : Fo use -gene a ed con en such as p oduc e iews, pho os, and commen s, pla o ms ace
unclea liabili y. While pla o ms can cu a e e iews o abuse, hey may lack comple e esponsibili y o audulen o
misleading con en (Lloyd Law College, 2025).
Ma ke place o Se ices: Fo pla o ms o e ing se ices ( a he han goods), liabili y amewo ks emain less de eloped
han o p oduc sales (IJRPR, 2024).
Recommended Re o m: Cla i ica ion o pla o m liabili y o use -gene a ed con en , wi h es ablishmen o easonable
e iew s anda ds and imelines o emo al o alse o ha m ul con en .
7.1.3 Inadequa e P o isions o C oss-Bo de and In e na ional T ansac ions:
India's consume p o ec ion amewo k ocuses on domes ic ansac ions, wi h limi ed p o isions o in e na ional
shipmen s o ansac ions wi h o eign selle s:
Ju isdic ional Issues: When consume s pu chase p oduc s om in e na ional selle s h ough Indian pla o ms o websi es,
de e mining applicable law and ju isdic ion o dispu es becomes complica ed (Lloyd Law College, 2024).