Legal Protection for Debtors in Online Transactions: Evaluating Safeguards in E-Commerce

Abstract

This study aims to examine the legal protection afforded to consumers in electronic commerce transactions. Consumer protection is crucial for ensuring legal certainty in online transactions. The research adopts a normative legal research approach to assess the effectiveness of the protection provisions outlined in Law No. 19/2016. The study identifies two primary concepts of legal protection in the context of electronic transactions: preventive legal protection and repressive legal protection. Preventive legal protection encompasses measures designed to prevent potential harm to consumers before transactions occur. In contrast, repressive legal protection involves legal actions taken to address and resolve disputes arising from violations in electronic transactions. The findings indicate that these two concepts of legal protection are complementary in creating a secure and fair environment for electronic commerce. Preventive legal protection aims to provide consumers with a sense of security by ensuring that service and product providers adhere to established standards before transactions take place. On the other hand, repressive legal protection ensures that consumers have mechanisms to seek justice if violations or damages occur post-transaction. This research offers insights into the current regulatory effectiveness and underscores the need to strengthen legal protection mechanisms to address challenges emerging from technological advancements. It highlights that in the rapidly evolving digital era, regulations and legal protections must swiftly adapt to new forms of electronic commerce. Strengthening legal protections will not only enhance consumer trust but also promote healthier and more sustainable growth in the digital economy.