Online Consumer Protection from the Perspective of Jordanian Law

Abstract

With the common use of electronic communication tools, electronic commerce became the phenomena of this era. Consumers are able finalize their transactions online, saving both time and effort. Creating electronic contracts require mutual assent between both parties to reach agreement. With the different types of electronic contracts, one might ask how much protection is needed to consumers who are being part of this contract. This paper will highlight the issue of consumer protection in Jordan. With the fact of high number of online users who might indeed get engaged in electronic contacts, how much protection does the current laws in Jordan offer their consumers? In order to answer this question this paper will define electronic contracts and consumers from the Jordanian perspective and then move on to highlight the common laws and regulations in the UK that protect consumers before answering the main question of this paper. With the high number of consumers conducting contracts electronically in Jordan, most of them are unaware of the legal consequences of their transactions. Having said that, the author believes that boosting confidence in electronic commerce in Jordan requires providing protection for consumers from unfair practices that could be carried online.

Keywords: consumer protection, fairness, e-contracts, e-commerce, contractual terms