Child protection in e-commerce must be implemented from the system design stage

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) emphasises that child protection in the realm of electronic commerce (e-commerce) must be applied from the system or platform design stage to create a safer ecosystem for children. “Child-safe digital commerce must be safe from the design stage, not just reactive after problems occur,” said Director of Electronic System Trade and Service Trade at Kemendag, Dwinantoro Rumpoko, during a discussion in Jakarta on Thursday. According to Dwinantoro, the principle of protection from system design (safety by design) needs to be implemented starting from platform design, transaction flows, advertising, payment systems to complaint channels so that child protection is not only carried out after violations emerge. In addition, children today are vulnerable to being driven to make digital transactions due to the influence of advertising and algorithms on digital platforms. “There are advertisements and algorithms that promote fashion goods so that children feel that those products match what they want. They still cannot distinguish between needs and wants,” he said. “Children’s personal data that can be profiled, the use of data for advertising, and the management of children’s data that is not fully understood by families. This is very dangerous when children’s personal data can spread outside,” he added. Dwinantoro stated that efforts to protect children in the e-commerce ecosystem cannot be burdened on one party alone, but require collaboration between government, platforms, business actors, and parents. Business actors are asked to sell products in accordance with regulations and provide accurate information without carrying out misleading promotions. Meanwhile, platform parties are encouraged to provide security features, parental controls, advertising transparency, and effective complaint channels. “E-commerce must grow on trust and child transaction security is an important part of that trust. Child protection must be part of platform design and compliance by platforms, merchants, and advertising is the key to inclusive digital trade,” said Dwinantoro.