Judicial authorities in Guangzhou have documented a substantial surge in consumer rights protection cases stemming from digital and emerging service sectors throughout 2025. The Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court disclosed that disputes linked to novel business formats—including live-stream e-commerce, online education platforms, and digital gaming—have emerged as rapidly growing areas requiring judicial intervention.
Wu Xiang, Deputy Party Chief of the court, highlighted these trends during a press briefing held on March 12, ahead of International Consumer Rights Day. While the overall number of consumer cases remained stable at over 37,000 annually, the composition of disputes has shifted markedly toward new economic models.
Prepaid consumption controversies continue to pose significant challenges, particularly regarding refund difficulties. Furthermore, the court identified growing vulnerabilities among elderly and minor consumers, such as deceptive live-stream marketing targeting seniors and training institutions that evade financial obligations after collecting fees from minors.
In response to these evolving challenges, the court released ten representative cases covering critical areas like prepaid services, e-commerce livestreaming, and gaming consumption. These典型案例 aim to establish judicial precedents and guide consumers and businesses through the legal complexities of emerging commercial practices.