🇪🇺 EU Consumer Rights

Key regulations, your protections, and how to use them when an AI system denies your claim.

Key Laws

EU Regulation 261/2004 — flight delays over 3 hours, cancellations, and denied boarding entitle you to compensation of €250–€600 depending on flight distance. "Extraordinary circumstances" must be proven by the airline, not assumed. Technical faults are not automatically extraordinary. EU261
GDPR — Right to Erasure (Article 17) — you can request deletion of your personal data. Controllers must comply unless they have a legal basis to retain it. "Legitimate interests" and "legal obligation" must be specific and documented — vague claims are not sufficient. GDPR Art.17
Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU — 14-day cooling-off period for online purchases. Sellers must provide a clear withdrawal mechanism. The clock starts when you receive the goods, not when you order them. CRD
Digital Services Act (DSA) — large platforms must explain algorithmic decisions, provide an internal appeals mechanism, and allow users to challenge content moderation decisions. DSA
GDPR — Right to Explanation (Article 22) — you have the right not to be subject to purely automated decisions with significant effects. You can request human review of algorithmic decisions. GDPR Art.22
Unfair Contract Terms Directive — contract terms that create a significant imbalance against the consumer are void. "All fees are non-refundable" clauses may not hold up if the service was not delivered. UCTD

When to Escalate

Data Protection Authority — file GDPR complaints with your national DPA (e.g. CNIL in France, BfDI in Germany, ICO for UK post-Brexit). Most offer online complaint portals.
National Enforcement Body (NEB) — for EU261 flight compensation disputes. In Germany: Luftfahrt-Bundesamt. In France: DGAC.
European Consumer Centre (ECC) — free cross-border dispute resolution. ecc-net.eu.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) — most EU member states have certified ADR schemes for consumer disputes. Mandatory for traders to participate in some sectors.

EU Cases in the Game

DENIED EuroAir — Flight Delay Compensation 4-hour delay. Airline claims "extraordinary circumstances." EU261/2004 puts the burden of proof on them, not you.

DENIED DataVault — GDPR Erasure Request Requested deletion of your account data. Company claims "legitimate interests." Challenge whether that interest is specific enough to override your GDPR rights.

DENIED StreamVault — Subscription Cancellation Annual subscription renewed automatically. No clear cancellation mechanism was provided. Consumer Rights Directive protects you.

DENIED EuroCredit Bureau — Credit Score Dispute Incorrect default on your credit file. Bureau refuses to correct it. GDPR Article 16 gives you the right to rectification of inaccurate personal data.

DENIED RentBot — Algorithmic Rent Increase Rent increased 28% by an automated pricing model mid-tenancy. Contract capped CPI increases. The algorithm has no authority to override a written contractual term.

GDPR Right to Erasure Refused: What You Can DoHow to challenge vague "legitimate interests" refusals and escalate to your DPA.

How to Dispute a Denied RefundEU Consumer Rights Directive, 14-day cooling off, and escalation paths.

Practice these disputes in Fix AI — a free browser game where you argue EU consumer rights against AI bots. The bot cites policy. You cite regulation. See who wins.

Play Free — EU Cases →

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🇪🇺 EU Consumer Rights

Key Laws

When to Escalate

EU Cases in the Game

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