🇪🇺 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 NestIndex — Algorithmic Rent Increase
Rent increased 41% by an automated pricing model at renewal. Your lease capped increases at CPI — the algorithm has no authority to override a written contractual term.
DENIED RentSmart — Deposit Withheld
€1,200 withheld for "property damage" that was documented as pre-existing at move-in. Normal wear and tear is not damage.
DENIED NationalVisa — Automated Visa Rejection
Visa denied by algorithm without reviewing your employment contract and property deed. GDPR Article 22 requires human review.
DENIED CryptoVault — Account Frozen
€8,400 locked for 3 weeks with no explanation. MiCA requires crypto exchanges to safeguard client assets transparently.
DENIED FitStream Pro — Subscription Dark Pattern
No cancel button in the app — only registered post to Luxembourg. Omnibus Directive requires cancellation as easy as sign-up.
Practice Cases
AirFlyte — Flight Cancelled, Refund DeniedPractice EU261 when the airline cites non-refundable fare.
DataCore — GDPR Erasure RefusedPractice Articles 17 and 21 against a data broker bot.
RentSmart — Deposit WithheldPractice normal wear and tear arguments for a full deposit return.
FitStream — No Cancel ButtonPractice Omnibus Directive against post-only cancellation.
All Cases →Full index of practice scenarios.
Related Guides
EU Flight Refund Denied? Your EU261 Rights ExplainedWhen extraordinary circumstances is valid — and when airlines are bluffing.
GDPR Right to Erasure Refused: What You Can DoHow to challenge vague "legitimate interests" refusals and escalate to your DPA.
EU Subscription Dark Patterns: Your Right to CancelOmnibus Directive and hidden cancel buttons.
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 →