Published Paper Details:

The digital revolution has significantly altered the consumer landscape in India, with online marketplaces and e-commerce platforms becoming integral to modern commerce. This shift, while enhancing convenience and accessibility, has also exposed consumers to novel forms of exploitation, including data breaches, misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices, and limited access to redressal mechanisms. In response, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (CPA), supported by the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, seeks to provide a robust regulatory framework for ensuring consumer rights in the digital domain. This dissertation critically examines the role of the CPA in regulating digital platforms, focusing on the effectiveness of key statutory provisions such as Section 2(7) (definition of consumer), Section 18 (powers of the CCPA), and Section 94 (measures for digital consumer protection). It also evaluates the duties imposed on e-commerce entities under Rules 4, 5, and 6 of the E-Commerce Rules, particularly in relation to grievance redressal, transparency obligations, and the prohibition of unfair trade practices. The study explores the practical challenges faced by consumers, including lack of awareness, jurisdictional hurdles in cross-border transactions, and inefficiencies in online dispute resolution (ODR) systems. A comparative lens is applied to evaluate India's regulatory framework alongside international standards, such as the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the United States' Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, identifying best practices and potential reforms. Using doctrinal research and supplemented by case law and empirical insights, the dissertation concludes that while the CPA has made notable strides in addressing digital consumer issues, there remain critical gaps in enforcement, platform accountability, and technological adaptation. It recommends a multi-pronged approach--combining legislative reform, regulatory clarity, enhanced consumer education, and cross-border legal collaboration--to fortify consumer trust and legal efficacy in India's rapidly evolving digital marketplace.