E-commerce platform refund responsibility, beyond a simple connector, a legal obligation.

With the rapid growth of e-commerce platforms, issues of delayed refunds and non-refunds after cancellation of contract have emerged as consumer protection concerns. Recently, the Fair Trade Commission has issued corrective orders against A and B e-commerce platforms for violating the Electronic Commerce Act, clearly stating that platforms may not merely be simple intermediaries but can bear legal responsibility as payment management entities.

In particular, e-commerce platform A operates a structure where it directly receives payments from consumers and settles them with tenant businesses, and has even filed for bankruptcy proceedings following large-scale refund delays. Consequently, the possibility of consumers recovering their refund amounts has become uncertain, and the Fair Trade Commission has ordered additional measures such as transparent disclosure of refund details.

This case demonstrates that when a communication sales intermediary exceeds certain roles, responsibilities equivalent to those of a communication sales operator under laws may arise. Accordingly, e-commerce platforms need to re-examine the appropriateness of cancellation and refund processing systems and strengthen consumer protection systems.

Law firm Veat is assisting with e-commerce platform operation service structure analysis, refund process design, terms and conditions revision, Fair Trade Commission and related organization response, and the entire spectrum of e-commerce practical matters. If you require related advice, please feel free to contact Law firm Veat.

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