On the 10th of April 22 Member States entered into the European
Blockchain Partnership, pledging to cooperate and share technical and
regulatory expertise and experience on the use of blockchain.
For many of us, it may be hard to understand what blockchain is.
It is the best described as a database that
stores and distributes information with the so called
distributive ledger technology (see a very good paper by Bacon et al
on Blockchain
Demystified). In terms of its purpose, perhaps it is easier to
think about blockchain as a technology akin to the internet. It operates differently, it is decentralized, and data integrity
and reliability is said to be its the greatest advantages, but we as
consumers, will probably use blockchain in a similar fashion like we use
now the internet.
Blockchain is successfully used in the Fintech sector for example for
the operation of cryptocurrency platforms like Bitcoin. As far as I
now, currently there are not many direct applications where consumers would be
able to make use of the blockchain technology. However, the new
technology has huge potential, and according to the plans of the EU
Commission, it will overtake almost all spheres of public and private
lives. Blockchain is seen an integral part of the Digital Single
Market.
The intersection of blockchain and consumer protection has not been greatly
explored. As every innovation it can greatly benefit consumers. Blockchain is set to be particularly advantageous in terms of
certainty and reliability that it provides for transactions, however, there may
be hidden dangers and all sorts of new interesting legal questions that may not yet be apparent, such
as those connected to the use of smart contracts. Traditional grounds for
consumer detriment such as information deficit may also appear in the new
context, with new dimensions that regulators will need to
consider.
The Commission's initiative to prompt EU-wide cooperation is welcomed.
However, it should also make sure that consumer interests are in the forefront
of the new initiatives. Do you see any particular aspects of consumer
protection that should raise special concerns?
