Direction de la Science, de la technologie et de l'innovation
Consumer vulnerability in the digital age
Protecting consumers when they are most vulnerable has long been a core focus of consumer
policy. This report first discusses the nature and scale of consumer vulnerability
in the digital age, including its evolving conceptualisation, the role of emerging
digital trends, and implications for consumer policy. It finds that in the digital
age, vulnerability may be experienced not only by some consumers, but increasingly
by most, if not all, consumers. Accordingly, it sets out several measures to address
the vulnerability of specific consumer groups and all consumers, and concludes with
avenues for more research on the topic.