Something which underpins the online world – where all of us now live – is the establishment of trust.
The recent discussions about different forms of player in the marketplace (eg. the P2P marketplaces) illustrates that perhaps there is a need to establish a set of rules and processes in order to make a migration from the traditional world of physical interactions into a streamlined, efficient marketplace that is safe.
Trust is earned, as one commenter noted. However the law is very grey across the board. Travel is largely a digital economy. It does some things well but it has a lot of catching up to do in key areas.
As new forms of commerce – particularly social commerce – emerge, we all share a responsibility to ensure that all parties to the transaction operate equitably.
Unlike the laissez-faire attitude of the US, where solutions tend to be "suck it and see" or "wait 'til I’m sued", the European Commission (EC) is taking a very proactive role in creating what it calls the Single Digital Market.
While this may offend free market capitalists, the so-called digital economy is moving too fast to wait for the law to catch up in normal time.
Understanding the concept is not easy, but the European Commission is determined to make this a reality. It is addressing the whole idea of an information based society through a broad range of initiatives.
These range from social responsibility (rights of access and assisting those who are unable to afford the high costs) through to the creation of appropriate competitive law.
They are also clearly signaling that they want to extend the concept beyond traditional borders by ensuring that for example telecom operators based in Europe don’t gouge customers in non EC markets.
[For the consolidated position on the subject go to the EC website]
Probably the leading standard bearer for the establishment of the SDM is the current EU Commissioner for Competition, the feisty Hollander Neelie Kroes who holds this position through 2014.
Interestingly, among her many initiatives is the creation of a common mobile services area. Something that those of us who travel cannot wait for.
These are not the usual this-is-what-we-will-attempt-to-do type of activities - the EC is to be applauded for taking such a broad range initiative.
It is not perfect, but it is one heck of a lot better than the somewhat limp initiatives announced by successive US administrations that somehow never make it to the market.
So, the European Commission has laid out 21 actions as part of its Single Digital market that carry specific agendas and timelines:
- Simplifying pan-European licensing for online works
- Preserving orphan works and out of print works
- Oblige public bodies to give access to public sector information
- Wide stakeholder debate on further measures to stimulate a European online content market
- Simplifying the distribution of creative content
- Protecting intellectual property rights online
- Fix a date for migration to Single European Payment & eInvoicing
- Revision of the eSignature directive
- Updating the eCommerce Directive
- Member States to implement laws to support the digital single market
- Member States to transpose the VAT Directive
- Review the EU data protection rules
- Complementing the Consumer Rights Directive
- Explore the possibilities for Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Consult the stakeholders on collective redress
- Code of EU online rights
- Stakeholder platform for EU online trustmarks
- Harmonisation of numbering regimes
- Spectrum Policy plan
- Investigate the cost of non-Europe in the telecoms market
- Roaming
One particular action item should be considered broadly which is the
creation of a European Trustmark.
The commission is encouraging individuals and organizations – both social and commercial – to become involved, a process which began in June this year.
Travel needs to have stakeholders involved in this process. Travel, as a driver of the digital economy, has shown itself to be less than adequate in policing and advancing the agenda of an open and free digital marketplace.
Unless travel can operate and ensure fairness is handled through cooperation, someone else will take that agenda and manipulate it.
There are some specific ways to get involved throughout the 21 actions. As a consumer, understanding your rights and helping to develop a fair and equitable marketplace which in turn can help power the information society is a must.