The term consumer is defined as:
“an individual acting for purposes that are wholly or mainly outside that individual’s trade, business craft or profession.”
Essentially you are deemed as a consumer if you are buying a product or service on a personal level.
As a consumer you have access to protection under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This does not apply to businesses.If there is a dispute about whether you were a consumer, the burden is on the trader to prove that you were not a consumer.
For full information on the Consumer Rights Act 2015, please refer to the following website:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/contents/enacted
Importantly, this Act covers you in relation to the purchase of both goods and services and Digital Content. You have the right to complain if everything is not as it should be in relation to your purchase or the service you have received.
Your Data is also protected under the rules of GDPR. There are 7 key principles that apply and these are:
- Lawfulness, fairness and transparency
- Purpose limitation
- Data minimisation
- Accuracy
- Storage limitation
- Integrity and confidentiality (security)
- Accountability
Companies are not allowed to use your data out of the GDPR guidelines as set out by the ICO. If you feel that this has been breached you importantly have the right to complain.
