Enforcement Technology, also known as EnfTech, is technology used in any enforcement capacity for investigation, preventative measures, surveillance, remedies and/or sanctions and there could be a vital role for EnfTech to play in consumer protection. With the advent of the global digital market as the new norm for most consumers the need for consumer protection tools to keep pace with technological developments and consumer habits is more starker than ever.
The newly released report by the EnfTech project, The transformative potential of Enforcement Technology (EnfTech) in Consumer Law, focuses on 18 case studies of in-use technologies in consumer protection and compiles additional research and analysis; arriving at the conclusion that EnfTech is no longer optional but rather a vital and necessary component of modern and future enforcement of consumer protection. The report points to the need for a greater capacity to act, stressing how the right technology can lead to swifter discovery of problems, the ability to effectively screen and handle large quantities of data, and the freeing up of staff to focus and act more effectively.
The full report, which is primarily aimed at newcomers to Enforcement Technology but also aims to provide some information and guidance to agencies at all levels of technological development, can be accessed online for free here. EnfTech also has a blog post on the report available on their website here.