Government issues draft rules to make e-commerce more accountable

The government has proposed draft e-commerce guidelines, "E-commerce – Principles and Guidelines for Self-Governance," emphasizing consumer protection. Prepared by the Bureau of Indian Standards, the framework outlines pre-transaction KYC for sellers, detailed product listings, transparent contract terms, secure payments, and timely refunds. It bans preferential treatment, mandates periodic seller reviews, adherence to IS 19000:2022 for consumer reviews, and enforces strict data protection compliance.