More and more citizens are turning to online shopping for their buying needs. It is a new norm that need to be regulated to better protect citizens. From defective products, unjustified geo-blocking, cross-border deliveries and online streaming to the end of roaming, the European Parliament is tackling the issues.

technology

EU politics

mass media

consumer protection

competition

DSM (Digital Single Market)

Online purchases taking over the high street

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/19718695/N01-PUB-171208-DIGI-EN.srt

When European citizens need to buy something, they’re increasingly likely to get it online,  

 a trend that the Parliament is turning its attention to. 

The Parliament wants to better protect consumers who shop online, 

whether they’re buying music, films, apps, games or software. 

If the product doesn’t match its description or isn’t what it should be, 

shoppers would be able to cancel a contract or ask for a refund. 

By the end of 2018, consumers will have access to a bigger range of products thanks to the end of geo-blocking. 

Consumers won’t be blocked anymore or treated any differently from the locals 

for things like hotel reservations, car rentals, or purchases on websites from other EU countries. 

Another goal is to improve the quality and cost of deliveries between EU countries. 

But the European Parliament also wants you to be entertained. 

More and more young Europeans watch television and listen to the radio online. 

In 2018, a new law will enable European citizens to access 

their online TV or film subscription content anywhere in the EU. 

Subscriptions to streaming platforms will no longer be blocked once you cross the border. 

And with the abolition of roaming fees, you can now text, make calls and use the internet 

in another EU country for the same price as you would at home. 

A new step towards helping European citizens feel at home, wherever they are in the European Union.