DIGITAL CONSUMER RIGHTS IN SMART TRANSPORTATION: CHALLENGES AND LEGAL FRAMEWORKS

Abstract

The integration of digital technologies into transportation systems has fundamentally transformed the relationship between consumers and service providers, creating new categories of rights and responsibilities. This study examines the emerging challenges in digital consumer protection within smart transportation ecosystems, analyzing current legal frameworks and identifying gaps in regulatory coverage. Through a comprehensive review of recent legislation including the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, the European Union's AI Act, and GDPR implications for connected vehicles, this research reveals significant disparities between technological advancement and legal protection. The findings indicate that while smart transportation offers enhanced efficiency and personalization, it simultaneously exposes consumers to novel risks including data exploitation, algorithmic bias, and service dependency. Current regulatory frameworks demonstrate fragmented approaches to consumer protection, with jurisdictional inconsistencies and enforcement challenges undermining comprehensive coverage. The study concludes that urgent harmonization of digital consumer rights across transportation modalities is essential, recommending the establishment of sector-specific regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with robust consumer protection.