Deputy Abdelssalem Dahmani, a member of the Commission on the Organization of the Administration, its Development, Governance, the Fight against Corruption, and Digitization at the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, stated in a statement given to Tunisia Digital that Bill No. 42 of the year 2024 carries particular importance.
This text concerns the organization of the conduct of marketing and promotional activities on websites and social networks. According to the deputy, it is part of the framework for adapting the Tunisian legal framework to the rapid digital transformations that institutions and commercial transactions are experiencing.
E-commerce facing oversteps
Abdelssalem Dahmani explained that the growth of e-commerce, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic, has highlighted several oversteps and legal difficulties.
The global health crisis had, in his view, accelerated the use of digital platforms and social networks, in a context where traditional commerce had been greatly disrupted.
The deputy estimated that existing legal texts are no longer sufficient to regulate all of the new online commercial practices, despite the existence of prior laws addressing certain aspects related to electronic transactions and digitalization.
Consumer protection at the heart of the debate
According to Abdelssalem Dahmani, the issues raised are not limited to financial transactions or payment methods. They also concern consumer protection, the rights of intermediaries, and the organization of the relationship between the seller and the customer.
He particularly stressed the need to protect citizens’ personal data, especially phone numbers and information provided during online purchases.
The deputy also mentioned certain problematic practices, such as sometimes obligating the customer to accept goods despite refusal or dissatisfaction.
A proposal enriched by expert opinions
The deputy recalled that the study day devoted to this bill allowed listening to the opinions of several experts and concerned parties.
These exchanges focused on ways to enrich the text and improve its wording before it is presented to the competent parliamentary bodies for consideration.
Abdelssalem Dahmani stressed that this text has an important specificity, as it concerns a domain in constant evolution, at the crossroads of the local market, digital platforms, and international commercial exchanges.
Towards a forthcoming review by the Parliament Bureau
The deputy indicated that the bill should be submitted soon to the Bureau of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, before its possible examination in a plenary session for adoption.
He did, however, specify that this step will take place after the review of the main difficulties raised and the search for appropriate legal solutions.
Finally, Abdelssalem Dahmani recalled that the commission works according to a priority order, given the number of projects and proposed laws currently under study. He stated that this text remains important due to its direct link with digital transformation, the organization of e-commerce, and the protection of users’ rights in the digital space.
