Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Analyze the specific **consumer protection risks** inherent in Digital Financial Services (DFS) and FinTech models.
• Apply traditional consumer protection principles (UDAAP, disclosure) to the new, technology-driven landscape.
• Develop proportional and **technology-neutral regulation** for mobile money, digital credit, and e-wallet providers.
• Address and mitigate risks associated with **agent network fraud**, operational failure, and liquidity management.
• Design regulatory frameworks for **data privacy, security, and the ethical use of consumer data** in DFS.
• Evaluate the impact of digital disclosures, terms of use, and User Experience (**UX/UI**) on consumer understanding.
• Establish effective and accessible **digital dispute resolution** and recourse mechanisms for DFS users.
• Understand the role of **Regulatory Sandboxes** and innovation offices in testing consumer protection safeguards.

• Regulators and Supervisors from Central Banks and Communications/Payments Authorities
• Compliance Officers and Risk Managers in FinTechs, Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), and Digital Banks
• Legal Counsel and Policy Makers specializing in Technology and Financial Law
• Heads of Product Development and User Experience (UX) in DFS
• Consumer Protection Advocates and Cyber Security Specialists
• Internal Auditors focused on Digital and Operational Risk
• International Development Professionals working on Digital Finance Policy

• Case Studies analyzing major consumer protection failures in digital credit and mobile money.
• Group Activities on applying UDAAP principles to a FinTech loan application user interface.
• Discussions on the ethics of using non-traditional data (e.g., social media) for credit scoring.
• Individual Exercises on developing a risk assessment for a new digital payment service.
• Workshop on drafting a data security and liability rule for a FinTech platform.
• Review of regulatory guidance from global bodies on DFS consumer protection.

Unit 1: The DFS Ecosystem and New Risk Landscape

• Overview of the DFS landscape: Mobile Money, Digital Credit, InsurTech, Robo-Advisors.
• The complexity of new third-party actors (e.g., Agents, Super-Agents, Platform Providers).
• Identifying the unique risks: **Algorithmic bias, cyber-fraud, data leakage**, and system downtime.
• The challenge of applying traditional, physical-world regulation to digital services.

• Principles for drafting **technology-neutral** laws that apply based on function, not form.
• Regulatory responses to the rapid speed and low-friction nature of digital transactions.
• Balancing responsible innovation with robust consumer protection safeguards.
• The role of proportionate regulation in facilitating FinTech entry and competition.

Unit 2: Disclosure, Transparency, and Digital Conduct

• Applying UDAAP (Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts) to digital user interfaces (UX/UI).
• Regulatory guidance on "Dark Patterns" and manipulative design in apps.
• Designing effective **Layered Disclosures** for digital products and click-wrap agreements.
• Ensuring transparent pricing and cost communication in digital credit and payments.

Unit 3: Data Privacy, Security, and Algorithmic Fairness

• Regulatory frameworks for **Data Privacy** and the collection/use of consumer data (e.g., Open Banking).
• Establishing mandatory data security and cyber resilience standards for DFS providers.
• Addressing **Algorithmic Bias** and discrimination in automated credit scoring and pricing.
• Defining consumer rights regarding data portability and the "right to explanation" for automated decisions.

Unit 4: Agent Networks and Recourse Mechanisms

• Mitigating **fraud and consumer detriment** in Agent Banking networks.
• Establishing clear liability rules for transaction errors and system failures.
• Designing and advertising accessible **digital and multi-channel dispute resolution** systems.
• Regulatory requirements for effective, timely redress and consumer refunds.

Unit 5: Supervision and Future Trends

• The use of **SupTech (Supervisory Technology)** for real-time monitoring of DFS market conduct.
• Regulatory Sandboxes and Innovation Hubs for controlled testing of new products.
• Policy approaches to emerging risks: Crypto-assets, NFTs, and Decentralized Finance (DeFi).
• International and regional regulatory harmonization for cross-border DFS.