Ministry watchdog scrutinises websites to protect the consumer

PALMA
THIS year, the regional Health and Consumer ministry has made 6'500 inspections on internet websites, monitoring them on a local, national and European level, Consumer department director Diego Gonzalez said yesterday.

The controls, he said, are aimed at ensuring that products and services advertised on the internet are truthfully represented with sufficient information and that the rights and interests of the consumer are adequately protected.

The controls, said Gonzalez, are “a priority” of his department because consumers use such websites to research products and make purchases.
Looking just at the checks made at a regional level, he added, the Consumer department has made 3'850 inspections in the course of 70 website controls, 56 of which related to airline ticket sales and flight information searches. Measures (220) have also been taken by the Consumer department, said Gonzalez at Balearic airport check-in desks.