ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the shift from governmental regulatory institutions to self-regulation by industry also signifies a shift for the user from being a citizen with secured citizen rights to a consumer with a somewhat different set of consumer rights. Looking at Internet safety as a consumer issue has been vocalized by the industry as well as EU institutions. For instance, by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on the introduction of the EC Internet Action Plan: the Committee sees Internet protection as a consumer issue. The objectives of the European Commission's approach to the issue of harmful content online has been freedom of expression and pluralism, combined with cultural and linguistic diversity, the protection of minors and consumer protection. When the base legitimacy for the rights that are being regulated is transferred from the citizen to the consumer sphere, this is amplified. Unknowable long-term consequences are ultimately dumped on the so-called responsible consumer.
