Transparent consumers? EKK invites you to a public round table
Digital personalization offers consumers convenience and tailored offers—but it also raises questions about the protection of their data. The Federal Commission for Consumer Affairs (EKK) will address this topic on Thursday with a public roundtable discussion in Bern. Experts from various fields will examine the opportunities and risks of data-driven business models.
While personalized recommendations can improve the consumer experience, data-intensive technologies also create risks: Consumers could lose control over their data, which weakens their position vis-à-vis companies. This becomes particularly problematic in sensitive areas such as healthcare, education or energy supply, where personalized pricing or algorithmic decisions can have far-reaching consequences.
A central theme of the public roundtable is whether existing consumer law is keeping pace with developments in the digital economy. Many current regulations are based on concepts from a time when trade was still more strongly characterized by physical products and services. EU regulation and other international approaches could serve as a guide when discussing new legal frameworks.
The event will start with an analysis of the status quo. Speakers will then represent the following different points of view: Consumer organizations, companies, European law, price monitoring and unfair competition. The aim is to conduct an open dialog on possible protection mechanisms and adjustments to the legal framework.
