Belarus develops law on digital mediation platforms

A working group has been set up at MART to draft a law on intermediary digital platforms. This was told on the air of the TV channel STV by the deputy head of the department of trade and catering - the head of the methodology department of the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade Irina Shpak, writes sb.by.

The draft law provides for the creation of organizational and legal bases for the functioning of intermediary digital platforms in Belarus. We are talking primarily about Internet sites, aggregators and delivery services. The document will also determine the main provisions of the interaction of platform operators with business users (sellers and performers) and consumers.

One of the main objectives of the project is to ensure transparency and predictability of the activities of digital platform operators, which already occupy a significant place in the economy and have a significant impact on it.

It is important for businesses that operate using digital platforms to understand the conditions under which they conduct business. These conditions should be stable and predictable, said Irina Shpak.

The second direction is the creation of a secure digital environment and the development of competition on digital platforms.

Operators of intermediary digital platforms are big business. Given their significant influence around the world, including in Belarus, it is important to balance the interests of large and small businesses that operate on such platforms.

The third focus is to protect the rights and legitimate interests of users.

MART regulates trade activities. The draft law provides for mechanisms to regulate significant foreign platforms in order to ensure control over their activities and ensure full protection of our consumers. In particular, such platforms are required to establish a legal entity or branch in Belarus. The requirements for their activities will be determined later by the Government, stressed Irina Shpak.