Saturday 9 March 2024
The Consumer Protection Authority successfully concluded its awareness campaign on "e-shopping" in February 2024 as part of its media plans to promote safe e-shopping practices.
During the three-week campaign, several objectives were achieved. The first objective was to instill a culture of safe e-shopping among consumers. This involved educating consumers about the foundations and standards of secure online shopping, as well as their rights and responsibilities within the e-shopping framework. The second objective was to build an electronic market that prioritizes consumer rights in online commercial transactions. The campaign aimed to inform consumers about electronic sales outlets, electronic providers, and e-consumers. By doing so, it sought to establish a market that upholds consumer protection principles and safeguards consumers' interests. The third objective was to enhance the legal awareness of suppliers in electronic outlets regarding consumer protection legislation. The campaign aimed to educate suppliers about their duties and responsibilities towards consumers within the realm of e-commerce. By raising their legal awareness, the campaign sought to ensure that suppliers comply with consumer protection laws and regulations.
The three-week campaign employed various strategies and activities. These included radio and television interviews, a dialogue session on "Consumer Rights and Provider Duties in Light of E-Commerce" held during the Muscat International Fair, and meetings with suppliers of electronic stores affiliated with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion. The campaign also utilized awareness videos and publications on television and electronic platforms of the Consumer Protection Authority. Additionally, awareness lectures were organized for consumers of all categories.
Furthermore, the campaign conducted a series of awareness activities in all departments and offices of the Consumer Protection Authority across various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.