It has to serve the ordinary user, not just engineers. Consumers are ready to use the new way of doing business only if the system gains their confidence. This requires relibale and secure global networks. Consumer protection, privacy and authentication form the very essence in building trust for users of global networks. To this end we need clear and unambigious international rules.
Consumers have to be protected from possible fraudulent and misleading commercial conduct.
Electronic commerce should guarantee the same level of protection as traditional forms of commerce. Protection can be provided by adapting laws and practices if necessary as well as following codes of conduct of self-regulatory bodies. Consumer protection should be ensured through methods which do not create barriers and obstacles for new technological innovations. It is essential that rules determine only the level of consumer protection, not the technology which is used to achieve this. The protection of privacy in global online environment has become increasingly important.