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.