Online marketplaces and consumer law

The essay examines, from the point of view of consumer law, the main legal issues con- cerning the relations between the many players active in the so-called “online marketplaces”. Specific attention is paid to the fact that, in these markets, consumers are under the techno- logical dominance of traders, which manifests itself in various forms and requires solutions to be found in the provisions of contract law as well as in those on unfair commercial practic- es. The analysis is carried out in the light of the complex European regulatory framework, consisting mainly of provisions adopted before the advent of the platform economy, which is currently being reconsidered by the EU institutions themselves.