Legislation relevant to DT

Study Notes

Consumer Contracts Regulations

Online traders must provide customers with a full description of products, prices, delivery charges, and payment methods.
Customers have the right to cancel an order and receive a full refund for physical products within 14 days of receipt.
Customers are not entitled to cancel orders for digital content after download.

Data Protection Act 1998

The act controls how personal data is used by organizations and protects individuals' rights.
Organizations must employ a data controller to oversee personal data processing.
The government's Information Commissioner enforces the act and informs the public about their rights.
The 8 principles of the act are:
- Process data fairly and lawfully with consent.
- Use data for the specified purpose only.
- Ensure data is adequate and relevant for its intended purpose.
- Keep data accurate and up-to-date.
- Not keep data for longer than necessary.
- Process data in accordance with the data subject's rights.
- Hold data safely and securely.
- Not transfer data outside the EU without adequate protection.
Organizations that fail to comply with the principles can be prosecuted.

Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988

The act protects individuals' and organizations' property rights for original ideas and material (intellectual property).
This includes computer software and aims to prevent illegal copying, downloading, and distribution without permission.

Computer Misuse Act 1990

The act protects users against unauthorized access to computer systems and deliberate hacking to plant viruses or install malicious software (e.g., spyware).

Description

Learn about the rights of customers when shopping online, including the provision of product descriptions, prices, delivery charges, and return policies. Understand the right to cancel orders and receive full refunds within a specified time frame for physical products.