Laws and Guidelines Regulating E-Commerce

Why it was introduced?

What must an e commerce business do to avoid contravening these rules?

Data Protection Act (1998)

To allow the users data to be protected when they are using any website. To prevent people from gaining access to sensitive information when purchasing or signing into a business website. This .blocks user’s access into the systems database where the user’s personal and sensitive information is stored.

A business should avoid breaking these laws by making sure that when a user enters sensitive information that they are protected from people being able to gain access to that information. Users should also be aware that the information is being stored on the website and ensured that their data is protected.

Computer Misuse Act (1990)

To prevent people from being able to gain access into people’s computers since the internet was becoming a large-scale application. It was introduced to prevent hackers from gaining access into computers and being able to get away with it.

To avoid breaking the law a business must ensure that they have antivirus software to prevent hackers from getting into the system and being able to get access to user’s sensitive information. As well as to make sure that, the business does not use the client’s details to gain access to their information. They should also be aware of the ways to get malware and other viruses.

Consumer Credit Act (1974)

To make sure that users where aware of what was happening with their data within an agreement and if they weren’t happy they would be able to break the contract/ decline the contract to prevent their data from being leaked it also ensures that payments will be made. This cooling off period is within a period of two weeks. In addition, retailers are guaranteed with £25,000 worth of payments.

A business must make sure that they disclose what the arrangements are for the user. Such as making sure users are aware of the period that they can return the product.

Trading Standards

Trading standards where introduced to prevent traders from providing their users with dodgy products and to make sure users got a high quality product. Local governments also decide on whether or not the trading company is u to the trade standards.

A business needs to make sure that it is able to get approval to make sure that the product provided is up to trading standards.

Freedom of Information Act (2000)

The Act was introduced to allow people to view the activities that the business has been doing to make sure that users are aware of what the business has been doing. This can come under the form of a request from the company if the information is not public. This comes under people’s right of having the right to know.

A business should make sure that they are able to provide the appropriate information to users about the company’s activities and if a user request to see information that isn’t public that the user is aware if they should be able to have access to that information.

Copyright Legislation

Copyright legislation was introduced to make sure that a person’s property was protected from other people copying it and using it for their own product/idea. This was first introduced with the Copyright and design Act, which allowed companies to be able to protect their property such as logos or music this would then be able to go on for a set amount of time where it can then be renewed.

As business, it is important that they are aware what pieces of work are an infringement of someone’s/another company’s piece of work under the copyright conditions.

E-commerce Regulations

It was introduced to make sure that users are aware of the protection and use of their data and what their data might be used for. It also provides users with information about the company such as where their brick stores are located as well as the contact details to be able to get into contact with the business. It also allows sure to make amendments to orders if they were to mistype the order.

It is important that the business makes sure that the users are protected and that their data isn’t stored onto the site for people to use.