By disregarding traditional principles governing police searches, seizures, and surveillance, the law enforcement powers proposed by CESA are contrary to the OECD Guidelines and must, therefore, be abandoned. The growth and profitability of electronic commerce will be drastically reduced if consumer protection is not adequately provided. Unless consumers are satisfied that traditional safeguards which protect their rights in the off-line world will be translated in the 21st century they may not be willing to take full advantage of electronic commerce. If people feel that they are offered less protection and are vulnerable to more abuses in the on line environment they may be willing to sacrifice the advantages and ease of on-line shopping for the security of the brick and mortar world. As electronic commerce is essentially a global phenomenon, international organizations have an interest in harmonizing the development of national policies.
Many consumer groups support the development of international consumer protection standards.
Such minimal standards should provide a functional equivalence to current safeguards offering at least the same levels of protection that would be afforded in the off-line world. These Guidelines are predicated on the basis that consumers should not be offered any less protection when participating in electronic commerce than they are in other forms of commerce. A secure method of payment, minimizing the risk of financial loss. A reliable system of international Alternative Dispute Resolution to provide a workable alternative to litigation, which may be costly and disproportionate in the case of long distance transactions As a signatory to the OECD, the U.S. needs to implement these principles into domestic law. Only then will the current standards of protection that exist for consumers in the off-line world be guaranteed in electronic commerce.