ICT regulators for consumer protection in the digital age

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND : Regulators from more than 20 countries of the Asia-Pacific region are meeting this week in Seoul, Republic of Korea, to discuss various consumer protection issues in the converged ICT sector.

The Asia-Pacific Regulators' Round Table is co-organized by the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) with support from the Department of Communications, Government of Australia and will be held from 14 to 18 October at Seoul.

This high-level Regulators' Round Table, organized by ITU since 2011, provides an opportunity for strategic discussions on emerging regulatory issues and challenges faced in the rapidly evolving and converging ICT sector.

In line with the theme for this year, "Protecting Consumers in the Digital Age", top-level regulators in the region aim to share experiences and challenges, brainstorm on possible solutions, and discuss potential collaboration in the digital era. It is also expected to assist in strengthening regional and national regulatory frameworks for protecting consumers in the converged ICT sector, while developing future strategies.

KCC Chairman Kyeong-Jae Lee said, "International coordination for consumer protection is more necessary than ever, as leakages of personal data and false information travel across the globe through the Internet, and international cybercrime is on the rise."

In his message to the Regulator's Round Table, ITU secretary-general Hamadoun I. Touré called for close collaboration and ‘smart' partnerships among regulators in the converged digital era to promote creative and innovative ICT applications in e-health, e-commerce, e-transportation, and m-banking among others.

He noted that ICTs are recognized as key enablers for socio-economic development and that regulators must give priority to protecting consumers of ICT services and applications.

The Regulators' meeting will be followed by a three-day international training programme that will highlight the enabling environment required to embrace convergence and transition towards a "smart" digital society. Around 60 participants from more than 25 countries are expected to attend the training programme.