Digital Information Governance and Consumer Protection in E-Commerce: A Comparative Legal Analysis of Jordanian and UAE Frameworks

Abstract

Abstract This research analyses consumer protection in electronic commerce through the lens of digital information governance and legal information management within modern online market systems. It evaluates the extent to which Jordanian legal provisions safeguard e-consumers, using a comparative framework with the United Arab Emirates’ regulatory model. The study is grounded in the premise that electronic commercial activity is inherently information-driven, relying on digital disclosure practices, electronic documentation, transparency of platforms, and the availability and accessibility of legal information. From this perspective, deficiencies in the quality of information, the adequacy of digital disclosure, and the robustness of enforcement structures have a direct impact on the equilibrium of bargaining power between consumers and suppliers in online transactions. A descriptive analytical and comparative legal methodology is adopted to examine relevant legislative instruments, including consumer protection statutes, electronic transactions legislation, civil codes, cybercrime in both Jordan and the UAE. The analysis covers legal safeguards operating before, during, and after the formation of electronic contracts, alongside an assessment of digital evidentiary regimes, complaint resolution systems, regulatory oversight bodies, and institutional enforcement mechanisms. The findings indicate that Jordan’s current legal framework largely depends on general legal principles and judicial interpretation, which reduces the effectiveness of consumer protection in digital environments and weakens legal predictability in e-commerce dealings. By contrast, the UAE demonstrates a more cohesive regulatory structure built around specialised rules governing information disclosure, electronic records management, digital evidence admissibility, platform responsibility, consumer information entitlements, and structured electronic grievance mechanisms. The study concludes that safeguarding consumers in e-commerce extends beyond the mere existence of statutory provisions; it is fundamentally dependent on how clearly, transparently, accessibly, and enforceable digital legal information systems are structured. Accordingly, it recommends that Jordan develop dedicated e-commerce legislation, establish clearer standards for digital disclosure, introduce robust electronic dispute resolution systems, and strengthen institutional frameworks of information governance to enhance trust and reliability in digital marketplaces.