Written reply to PQ on Avenues of Recourse for Consumers Facing Predatory Practices by Blind Box or Gacha Mechanism Service Providers

Question:

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what are the existing avenues of recourse for consumers facing unfair and predatory practices by blind box or gacha mechanism service providers; and (b) how does the Ministry intend to educate consumers on such avenues and how consumers can use them to protect their consumer rights.

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1.                  When purchasing blind box or ‘gacha’ products, there is no guarantee of obtaining a specific item. The use of blind boxes or ‘gacha’ mechanisms is not prohibited under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003 (CPFTA). However, under the CPFTA, it is an unfair practice for a business to make false or misleading claims about its goods and services, such as misrepresenting the odds of obtaining certain variants of a product through a blind box or a ‘gacha’ mechanism. 

2.                  Consumers who encounter such unfair practices may approach the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) for assistance. CASE can represent consumers in negotiating a settlement or mediating with the supplier. In more serious cases, CASE may refer errant suppliers to the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) for investigation under the CPFTA. 

3.                  CCS and CASE regularly conduct outreach and public education efforts to inform and educate consumers about their rights and available avenues for redress.