Consumers International (CI) announces the theme of this year’s “World Consumer Rights Day” as “Trusted Smart Products”, and calls on consumer organizations worldwide to raise awareness around the world on these new technology.

Smart products are connected to the internet and receive, collect and send data. Globally, there are currently 23.1 billion smart products in the world, outnumbering people three to one. From smart phones to wearable fitness trackers, to voice-activated assistants and smart TVs, many of the products we use are increasingly becoming connected by default.

The emergency of smart technology brings many opportunities to consumers: access to new services, more responsive products, greater convenience and choice. There are, however, some significant causes for concern: lack of security, privacy and meaningful choice over how we use them, as well as a lack of clarity about who is responsible when things go wrong.

As smart products become an increasingly common part of daily life, CI wants to increase access to these devices through fair data pricing, a better internet infrastructure as well as securing protections for consumers using second-hand devices.

These consumer’s connected products should be sold with basic security as standard and updates should be provided for reasonable period after sale so that hackers can’t access consumers’ data or alter the functionality of the products, consumers’ privacy and data protection rights must also be properly protected and upheld to address potential harms such as invasive marketing, loss of privacy and security breaches. Moreover, connected products should abide by interoperable and compatible device and software standards to avoid lock-in effects and enhance consumers’ ability to easily compare and switch providers.

The Macao Consumer Council has launched a few mobile phone apps for the provision of product prices to consumers, consumers may also lodge their complaint or enquiry on its website and WeChat account, the Council is committed to maintaining the safety of all its platforms to safeguard the privacy of consumers. Meanwhile, seminars on how to protect personal information are held periodically for “Adherents” and “Certified Shop” for comprehensive protection on local consumers.

The Consumers International is an independent and non-governmental organization, with over 200 Member organizations in over 100 countries, Macao Consumer Council became a full member of the CI in 1997.

“Business Integrity Enhances Consumer Confidence”- annual theme for the Mainland

China Consumers’ Association announces the theme of WCRD 2019 as “Business Integrity Enhances Consumer Confidence”.  The theme is to promote the establishment of credit system in the Mainland and create a favorable consumption environment.

The goals of this theme include the promotion of business integrity and compliance with laws and regulations, the improvement of social supervision and evaluation systems, the encouragement of consumers to exercise their rights and responsibilities of supervision, enhancement in cooperation between consumer associations and government departments. In addition, the consumer associations in the Mainland should play an active role in establishing credit system and hold activities to promote self-regulation in industry so as to enhance consumer satisfaction and confidence in the consumer market.

Macao Consumer Council agrees that business integrity is a guarantee to consumers and is a key to enhance business development in Macao. The Council therefore continues to strengthen the “Certified Shop” scheme, establish codes of practices and help build an honest consumer environment. The Council continues to explore more cooperation with the Greater Bay Area and assist in developing a quality living circle for living and travelling.