The Director-General of Consumer Affairs, Jorge Seguro Sanches, stated that imposing fines on digital commerce companies could be "an incentive for greater care." However, he acknowledged difficulties with territorial jurisdiction and advocated for enhanced consumer information.
During a parliamentary hearing, Seguro Sanches highlighted e-commerce as a crucial channel for accessing goods and services, emphasizing the EU's goal of eliminating geographical discrimination. He argued that public institutions should increase their efforts in empowering consumers, particularly in the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira.
The hearing addressed issues like refusal of delivery and disproportionate shipping costs. Seguro Sanches referred to the European regulation against "geoblocking" and warned about "geopricing," where prices restrict consumer access. The Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs (DGC) lacks inspection or sanctioning powers, which lie with ASAE and regional bodies. The DGC has received four complaints regarding territorial discrimination in the past three years.
