Kaya 959 Reporter
Every year South Africa celebrates World Consumer Rights Day every year on March 15th.
The global move to the digital community has seen many consumers transact and engage with digital platforms to exchange goods and services.
It’s important to know your rights as a consumer.
In light of the global migration to a more digital economy, this year’s focus has been to highlight the pressing issues affecting the rights of consumers and ways to protect consumers against market abuses and social injustices.
Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi had a conversation with a cyber security expert from Mimecast, Andrew Williams, who spoke about the importance of these consumer rights.
Listen to the full conversation:
“Consumers have put a lot of trust in brands but have not been able to see anything behind the scenes. Is it in a secure location, are they making sure that my data is protected, and ultimately can I confirm the origin of an advert that they send me? None of that is available to you as an end-user.” says Williams.
Also Read: LISTEN: AKA says Riky Rick was approached and declined to host ‘The Braai Show’ in 2021
How to advance our understanding of technology we use
Williams says consumers need to start looking at any communication they have on social media with a lot more detail, and to interrogate every communication they receive on their digital devices and platforms.
He also added that consumers typically have a high trust of internet services when transacting online, which makes them easily susceptible to cybercrimes.
“We need to start looking at things with a lot more detail, we are seeing so many organisations being attacked. One of our state of security reports in the 2022 piece is highlighting how many of those links are being impersonated by unwitting organisations to be able to take on some impersonation event. Which becomes very tough for that end-user to identify.” says Williams.
He says we all need to spend more time and effort doing research on the platforms we use.
Also Read: Film and Publications Board (FPB) is investigating the graphic sex scene on ‘The Wife’
Important rights to know as a consumer on World Consumer Rights Day
- All bank customers have a right to expect to be treated fairly, reasonably and ethically by their bank.
- The National Credit Act (the “Act”) says, all adult natural persons, and every juristic person or association of persons, has the right to apply for credit.
- Consumers have right to negotiate with credit providers, and preferably shop around, especially if the interest rate that is being offered is not in line with what the consumer deems fair.
- Consumers have the right to renew or cancel a fixed term agreement
- Consumers right to request pre-authorisation for maintenance and repairs
- Consumrs have the right to return goods and seek redress for unsatisfactory services
As a consumer, you have the right to privacy. The right to choose your product. The right to fair and honest dealing. The right to disclosure of information. The right to fair and responsible marketing. The right to accountability by suppliers. The right to fair value, good quality and safety. The right to fair, just and reasonable terms and conditions.
READ NEXT: Major League DJz sign a major global record deal with Atlantic Records
