Hubig: "Commercial gambling has no place in children's rooms"

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Is the internet an unsafe place? On “Safer Internet Day” today, Tuesday, one might easily get that impression. Because a significant portion of citizens see major problems. That's why consumer protection minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) is now pushing for a tighter regulatory framework at the European level in an interview with heise online. “Safety and fairness online – that also means effective protection against business practices that are misleading, manipulative, or addictive,” says the minister. “We need better European rules here: clear guidelines, prohibitions, and above all, effective mechanisms for their enforcement.”

And that's precisely part of the issue: While there are already many rules, their enforcement is rarely as fast as providers come up with new ideas. Whether it's data protection law, consumer contract law, the Digital Services Act, or other regulations protecting users, users see issues. And politicians are looking for suitable solutions at their pace. Currently, there is an attempt with the so-called Digital Omnibus to better align rules. However, some user rights could also be diminished with it, especially in data protection and AI, critics warn. A second approach is being pursued by the European Commission with the “Digital Fairness Act” (DFA): This is to be negotiated from the end of 2026 and will better ensure consumer protection. It will primarily address the legal framework with which consumers and companies interact.

Addictions and weaknesses should be taboo

But what do users actually see as an issue? According to a survey commissioned by the Ministry of Consumer Protection, which heise online had access to in advance, this is by no means always clear-cut. Many of the perceived issues lie in the area of attention maximization by providers and users who feel tricked, poorly informed, or outsmarted. Accordingly, three-quarters of users would be in favor of a legal ban on data-driven personalization that targets “weaknesses or addictions.” The majority of respondents advocate for more provider responsibility and clear rules. For example, with virtual in-game or in-app currencies such as coins, gems, V-Bucks, jewels, and the like, 82 percent clearly believe that the price converted into euros should also be displayed. A preset payment limit as a prerequisite for in-game purchases is supported by a good 70 percent.

In other areas, the feedback from consumers is not so clear: whether they feel manipulated, whether they use apps, platforms, or games longer than intended, or spend more money than intended, there were no clear findings.

Loot boxes and Co. “real problem”

The effective protection of children and young people is particularly important to her, says Hubig. “Video games with gambling elements like loot boxes are a real problem, for example,” says the consumer protection minister. For her, it's clear: “Commercial gambling has no place in children's rooms.” And she's not alone in this.

Because there is also a clear demand for a ban among internet users surveyed for the BMJV. Regarding “gambling-like elements in video games aimed at minors,” almost four out of five users are in favor of a ban. However, where exactly to draw the line and whether this primarily refers to loot boxes, in-game casinos like in GTA, or in-game roulette woven into game logic like in Gran Turismo, the legislator would first have to define clear rules.

Survey: Age verification yes, but…

How minors can be better protected overall is currently the subject of intense discussion regarding provider obligations for age detection or control. Here, the positions of the respondents are remarkably differentiated: while 81 percent of respondents consider it necessary for providers to carry out age checks. At the same time, however, almost half of the respondents express concerns about data protection if age verification were required before using services. Balancing user protection and protection from providers and third parties therefore remains a difficult undertaking.

Overall, participants in the BMJV-commissioned survey primarily consider the lack of data protection and data security to be a problem area on the internet (32 percent). Problematic business models follow in second place with 23 percent. All other issues, such as lack of youth protection or cybercrime, are further behind with a significant margin.

(mho)