Legal protection for digital consumers: a literature review of the limitations of the civil code in the platform economy era
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Aug 7, 2025
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Civil Code, Digital Consumer Protection, Platform Economy
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Abstract
The transformation of the global economy towards the digital era has shifted the pattern of consumer and business interaction into the digital platform ecosystem, creating new challenges in consumer legal protection. This study is a systematic, logical, and relevant literature review of the limitations of the Civil Code (KUHPerdata) in responding to the dynamics of digital transactions. This study focuses on how conventional norms in the Civil Code that are oriented towards physical transactions and traditional civil relations have not been able to accommodate the complexity of interactions in a platform-based economy. Through an analysis of the legal theory of consumer protection, the theory of contractual justice, and the progressive legal approach, it was found that the Civil Code is still weak in guaranteeing the principles of transparency, accountability, and protection of personal data in digital transactions. In addition, the legal status of the platform as an intermediary party in the contract between the seller and the buyer creates a vacuum of norms regarding legal responsibility in the event of consumer default or loss. The implications of this finding emphasize the urgency of regulatory reform by adopting adaptive digital consumer protection principles, including updating national legal instruments to align with developments in information technology. This study also recommends the establishment of a new legal framework that specifically regulates consumer protection in the digital ecosystem, to ensure justice and legal certainty amid the rapid growth of the platform economy
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Muhtadi, R., & Fristia Maulana, A. (2025). Legal protection for digital consumers: a literature review of the limitations of the civil code in the platform economy era. Journal of Law Science, 7(3). Retrieved from https://iocscience.org/ejournal/index.php/JLS/article/view/6512
References
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Van Opstal, W. (2025). Too old for a circular solar economy? Age dynamics in the acceptance of solar and circular value propositions. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 212(January), 124001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124001
Aimelia, G., Rasji, R., & Informasi, U. (2025). Pembaharuan Hukum Terhadap Kekuatan Akta Autentik Elektronik Legal Reform on the Power of Electronic Authentic Deed ditandai oleh perubahan sosial , ekonomi , budaya , dan hukum seiring dengan perkembangan nyata dan luas terhadap tata kehidupan masyarakat. 8(2), 4–6.
Anovanko, U. B., Wijaya, A., & Nugraha, S. (2025). Implikasi Hukum Perdata terhadap Penggunaan Kecerdasan Buatan ( AI ) dalam Kontrak Komersial. 5, 3637–3653.
Arifin, R., Kambuno, J. A., Waspiah, & Latifiani, D. (2021). Protecting the Consumer Rights in the Digital Economic Era: Future Challenges in Indonesia. Jambura Law Review, 3, 135–160. https://doi.org/10.33756/jlr.v3i0.9635
Avdiushchenko, A., & Meinrenken, C. J. (2025). Circular economy concepts for accelerating sustainable urban transformation: The case of New York City. Cities, 166(May), 106223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.106223
Ayaz, O., Tabaghdehi, S. A. H., Rosli, A., & Tambay, P. (2025). Ethical implications of employee and customer digital footprint: SMEs perspective. Journal of Business Research, 188(March 2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.115088
Brodny, J., & Tutak, M. (2025). Stakeholder interactions and ethical imperatives in big data and AI development. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100491
Colangelo, G., & Martínez, A. R. (2025). Vertical interoperability in mobile ecosystems: Will the DMA deliver (what competition law could not)? International Review of Law and Economics, 83(March 2024), 106267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irle.2025.106267
Cordova, M., Fertig, M. B., & Hahn, I. S. (2025). Impacts of global supply chains on ocean health and mitigation practices: a systematic literature review. Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, 15(May). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clscn.2025.100228
Dame, D. J. H., & Hukum, J. (2025). , Wina Erni. 1(1), 1–23.
Dauerer, A. (2025). A systematic literature review of performance measurement systems and the integration of ESG factors. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 27(February), 100746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2025.100746
Dzuhriyan, A. R., Permana, S. I., & Gufron, M. K. A. (2024). Consumer Legal Protection in Online Transactions?: Challenges and Opportunities in Indonesia ’ s Digital Economy. 3(1), 9–16. https://doi.org/10.37893/jv.v3i1.1017
Elmousalami, H., Maxy, M., Hui, F. K. P., & Aye, L. (2025). AI in automated sustainable construction engineering management. Automation in Construction, 175(September 2024), 106202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2025.106202
Firoozi, A. A., Firoozi, A. A., & Maghami, M. R. (2025). Transformative Impacts of Nanotechnology on Sustainable Construction: A Comprehensive Review. Results in Engineering, 26(March), 104973. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104973
Howells, G. (2020). Protecting Consumer Protection Values in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Journal of Consumer Policy, 43(1), 145–175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-019-09430-3
Huang, J., Xu, Y., Wang, Q., Wang, Q. (Cheems), Liang, X., Wang, F., Zhang, Z., Wei, W., Zhang, B., Huang, L., Chang, J., Ma, L., Ma, T., Liang, Y., Zhang, J., Guo, J., Jiang, X., Fan, X., An, Z., … Fei, A. (2025). Foundation models and intelligent decision-making: Progress, challenges, and perspectives. Innovation, 6(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xinn.2025.100948
Jon, W., & Park, S.-P. (2025). Comparative analysis of trademark protection in the metaverse and registration of virtual goods and NFTs. Computer Law & Security Review, 57(May), 106137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2025.106137
Karar, F., Handayani, U. J., Putri, D. A., & Handayani, S. (2025). Perlindungan Hukum Bagi Pelaku UMKM dalam Kontrak Bisnis Digital.
Khalilul Anna Billahi Robbi, & Ainurrahman Ardhiyanto. (2023). Analisis Hukum Kontrak Jual Beli. Journal Sains Student Research, 1(1), 934–943. https://doi.org/10.61722/jssr.v1i1.421
Kokorin, I. (2025). The decentralisation defence. Computer Law & Security Review, 57(May), 106148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2025.106148
Lima, H. S. De, Purba, J., & Napitupulu, D. (2025). Analisis Hukum Kontrak dalam Sistem Hukum Indonesia?: Perlindungan , Wanprestasi , dan Tantangan Era Digital. 11(71), 190–204.
Masyittah, M., Isma, U. N., Saputra, M. T., Zaskya, F., Shofa, C. G. Z., Ramadhani, I., & Mustiana, D. (2024). Perlindungan Hukum Bagi Konsumen Dalam Transaksi Jual Beli Online ( Shopee ). Indonesia Journal of Business Law, 3(1), 24–29. https://doi.org/10.47709/ijbl.v3i1.4066
Matlin, S. A., Hanefeld, J., Corte-Real, A., da Cunha, P. R., de Gruchy, T., Manji, K. N., Netto, G., Nunes, T., ?anl?er, ?., Takian, A., Zaman, M. H., & Saso, L. (2025). Digital solutions for migrant and refugee health: a framework for analysis and action. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 50, 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.101190
Novita, Y. D., & Santoso, B. (2021). Urgensi Pembaharuan Regulasi Perlindungan Konsumen di Era Bisnis Digital. Jurnal Pembangunan Hukum Indonesia, 3(1), 46–58. https://doi.org/10.14710/jphi.v3i1.46-58
Nugraha, M. A., Wicaksana, A. R., Rafli, M. H., & ... (2023). Perkembangan Zaakwarneming di Indonesia Dan Implementasinya Di Era Digitalisasi. Dplr, 10(2), 142–154. https://ejournal2.undip.ac.id/index.php/dplr/article/view/21058%0Ahttps://ejournal2.undip.ac.id/index.php/dplr/article/download/21058/10349
Ostanina, E., & Titova, E. (2020). in the Digital Economy Conditions – the Experience. VII(2).
Pokhrel, S. (2024). No Title?????. ????, 15(1), 37–48.
Quarta, A. (2020). Narratives of the Digital Economy: How Platforms Are Challenging Consumer Law and Hierarchical Organization. Global Jurist, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.1515/gj-2020-0026
Ramli, T. S., Ramli, A. M., Permata, R. R., Ramadayanti, E., & Fauzi, R. (2020). ASPEK HUKUM PLATFORM e-COMMERCE DALAM ERA TRANSFORMASI DIGITAL. Jurnal Studi Komunikasi Dan Media, 24(2), 119. https://doi.org/10.31445/jskm.2020.3295
Romero-Moreno, F. (2025). Deepfake detection in generative AI: A legal framework proposal to protect human rights. In Computer Law & Security Review (Vol. 58, Issue June). Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2025.106162
Secinaro, S., Lanzalonga, F., Oppioli, M., & de Nuccio, E. (2025). The effects of disruptive technologies on accountability in fintech industry: Using bibliometric analysis to develop a research agenda. Research in International Business and Finance, 76(February), 102816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102816
Studi, P., Politeknik, A., Bali, N., Agung, A., Agung, G., Prathama, I., Studi, P., & Universitas, H. (2025). Paradigma Baru dalam Pembaharuan Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Perdata?: Upaya Adaptasi terhadap Dinamika Hukum di Era Digital dan Globalisasi. 20(1), 67–76.
Tao, M., & Wang, J. (2025). Harnessing the web: County-level perspectives on China’s green economy. Energy, 316(December 2024), 134495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2025.134495
Van Opstal, W. (2025). Too old for a circular solar economy? Age dynamics in the acceptance of solar and circular value propositions. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 212(January), 124001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124001
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