On June 16, the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) released five representative civil cases involving online consumption as part of the judiciary's efforts to strengthen the protection of consumers’ rights and interests in the digital economy.

The cases address some of the most pressing concerns in the online consumer space, including false advertising by businesses, failure to implement the “seven-day no-reason return” policy, misleading practices, refund disputes over concert tickets, and the excessive collection of consumer data. Judgments of these cases demonstrate the judiciary’s firm stance on protecting consumers’ legal rights, penalizing businesses that breach sales commitments or undermine consumer expectations, and reinforcing the legal framework that encourages safe and informed consumption.

By providing clear judicial guidance, the SPC aims to foster both consumer confidence and a trustworthy digital marketplace, while also helping businesses unlock more sustainable and expansive growth opportunities.

A representative from the SPC emphasized that the selected cases reflect emerging trends and challenges in online consumption. Through these exemplary judgments, the judiciary seeks to establish sound precedents, promote lawful business conduct, and strengthen public trust in e-commerce. 

Courts nationwide will closely monitor the evolving landscape of online consumption, support the expansion of online consumption scenarios, and enhance its sustainability and cultivate its potential through legal means, thereby contributing to China’s high-quality economic growth, the SPC representative said.