Last year, the UK government consulted on changes to consumer law, particularly in relation to issues such as fake reviews and subscription traps.  It has now announced that it will be taking those changes forward.  Significantly, the CMA will be given powers to directly enforce consumer law, including new powers to fine organisations up to 10% of their global turnover for breaching consumer laws.

The government intends to consult further on new laws to deal with fake reviews, including:

  • commissioning someone to write or submit a fake review;
  • hosting consumer reviews without taking reasonable steps to check they are genuine; or
  • offering or advertising to submit, commission or facilitate fake reviews.

The second bullet point above will make any websites that host consumer reviews nervous...

It also intends to deal with “subscription traps” in which businesses make it difficult to exit a contract will also be stopped. Under new rules, businesses will be required to:

  • provide clearer information to consumers before they enter a subscription contract;
  • issue a reminder to consumers that a free trial or low-cost introductory offer is coming to an end, and a reminder before a contract auto-renews onto a new term; and
  • ensure consumers can exit a contract in a straightforward, cost-effective and timely way. This follows guidance issued by the CMA last year for anti-virus contracts, and which could be applied to any auto-renewing contract with consumers.

Putting their money where their mouth is, the CMA will be able to award compensation to consumers and directly impose financial penalties for:

  • breaking consumer protection laws, with penalties worth up to 10% of global annual turnover for businesses or up to £300,000 in the case of an individual;
  • breaching undertakings given to the CMA, with penalties worth up to 5% of a business’ annual global turnover or up to £150,000 for an individual, and additional daily penalties for continued non-compliance; and
  • non-compliance with an information notice, concealing evidence or providing false information, with penalties worth up to 1% of a business’ annual global turnover or up to £30,000 for an individual, and additional daily penalties for continued non-compliance.

The government is also planning to improve alternative dispute resolution services in consumer markets. This includes amending the ADR Regulations 2015 to improve the quality and oversight of ADR services, and requiring businesses offering consumers dispute resolution services to be accredited.

The government is also going to seek further evidence on how best to help regulators deal with “dark patterns” that manipulate consumers into spending more than they wanted to, and ‘sludges’ – negative nudges such as when businesses add on extra charges for a product before checkout, on top of the advertised price.

The new rules will apply in Great Britain - consumer protection is devolved in Northern Ireland.