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Seniors on the move (symbol image):
Photo: Mohssen Assanimoghaddam / DPA
The Bundestag has tightened the rules for so-called coffee trips to better protect consumers from being ripped off.
With the legislative package passed on Friday night, the sale of insurance, home loan and savings contracts, medical products and dietary supplements is fundamentally prohibited at such events.
In addition, the participants of such trips must be better informed about their rights by the organizer.
The fine for violations will be increased from 1,000 euros to 10,000 euros.
The rules for online marketplaces are also being tightened in order to make offers more transparent for consumers.
In the future, comparison platforms on the Internet will have to specify the criteria by which they evaluate goods and services.
Rankings in search results must not be influenced by hidden advertising or hidden payments.
In addition, platforms and search engines must explain how they ensure the authenticity of user reviews.
Fake reviews are expressly prohibited in the future.
mic / dpa