Regulatory Measures for Digital Platform Operators Affecting Consumer Rights: A Case Study of Facebook
Keywords:
Digital platforms, regulatory measures, consumer rights, FacebookAbstract
This study aimed to examine the situation of victimization arising from digital platform scams in Thailand, and to propose appropriate regulatory approaches for digital platform operators impacting consumer rights. The researchers employed a mixed-methods research design for data collection. Quantitative data were collected through an online questionnaire. A total of 288 respondents participated in the study, while qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 16 key informants.
The findings indicated that digital platform scams in Thailand remained a serious issue, particularly on Facebook, with a large user base. The results revealed that elderly individuals and users accessing Facebook approximately four to six times per week constituted a high-risk group for being victimized by such scams. Furthermore, the study identified significant challenges in the effective enforcement of self-regulatory measures by digital platforms. Legal and enforcement difficulties were also evident, particularly in pursuing litigation and enforcing judgments against digital platform operators not registered under Thai law. These issues represented major obstacles to effective platform governance.
The researchers recommend that digital platforms adopt interim measures to temporarily suspend access to reported fraudulent content, or user accounts, while complaints are under review. Additionally, policy measures should be developed to incentivize foreign digital platforms to formally register their business operations in Thailand. Finally, enhanced regional cooperation among ASEAN member states is suggested as a venue to strengthen bargaining power in regulating large digital platforms such as Facebook.
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