The right to equality and the right to privacy
By SHAUN BERGOVER
Following the introduction to the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) in last month’s edition, in this article we will be looking at some rights consumers are afforded by the Act. We will specifically be covering the rights to equality and privacy. In our monthly articles throughout this year we will be addressing many other consumer rights.
Protection against discriminatory marketing
Section 8(1) of the CPA deals with a supplier’s duty to treat people fairly, and not to discriminate against consumers unfairly. A supplier in this context is a person who markets any goods or services to the community. This section relates to section 9 of the Constitution and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, which list grounds upon which a person cannot be unfairly discriminated against. Some of these listed grounds are race, gender, sex, age, disability and religion.