Net tightens on Web predators

Shoppers on the Internet have moved a step closer to effective protection from predators on the Word Wide Web. The final text of an EU directive on the protection of consumers in distance contracts goes to the European Parliament on Wednesday.

The directive covers the provision of goods and services across technologies including the Internet, videotext, teleshopping and videophone, as well as mail order, telesales and fax sales.

There will be a seven day cooling off period during which shopper can withdraw without penalty, although this will not apply to audiovideo recordings, computer software, newspapers, periodicals and magazines.

Suppliers will have to provide consumers with detailed information about who they are, the goods or services they provide, price, delivery costs and period for which any offer and price remain valid. They will also have to ensure that information on Word Wide Web sites is kept up to date. Mark Dautlich, IT lawyer at Nabarro Nathanson, says: "If Web pages are not updated, and if, for example, prices increase or a special offer comes to an end, the supplier can face legal action for providing false or misleading information to consumers".

The directive will also require that sellers across the Internet provide consumers with informations in "durable" form, such as confirmation by e-mail, wich can ve stored on the hard disk of the purchaser's personal computer.

Information that is provided on a computer screen through the use of random acces memory, but not stored in the computer's memory as with France's Minitel system - is likely to be insufficient.

The European Commission is also looking at financial services. Consultation is taking