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Consumer protection a DIY job on the net
Watchdog urges industry self-regulation - and consumer canniness

By Tony Hallett

Published: Wednesday 21 June 2006

Industry self-regulation and proactive users are key to ensuring protection for UK consumers on the internet, according to Ofcom.

The regulator has published research which is positive about the opportunities the internet presents but warns that older ways of regulating a medium no longer apply.

It points to co- and self-regulation rates that are higher than for other media. Self-regulatory bodies in the UK include TrustUK for ecommerce vendors, the Internet Service Providers Association (Ispa), the Internet Crime Forum and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) which cracks down on child abuse images and criminally obscene and racist content.

Ispa points to the success over the years of its self-regulatory 'notice and take down' procedure for criminal content.

In March the IWF was singled out for praise by Department of Trade and Industry minister Alun Michael. He said it has "much to be proud of". Others point out it leads an international fight.

Better international co-operation is another of Ofcom's recommendations, warning national efforts are limited in their effects.

While the watchdog calculates some 59 per cent of UK adults now have access to the internet at home, with more than two-thirds connected at broadband speeds, practices such as phishing, to steal personal details such as bank account logins, are a worry. It reckons only 28 per cent of UK net users are willing to give credit card information online - which is hampering ecommerce.

The full Ofcom survey can be found at www.ofcom.org.uk.