Equilibrio contractual y trasparencia en la era digital: análisis de las cláusulas leoninas en los contratos de adhesión
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Date
2025
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Publisher
PUCE - Ibarra
Abstract
La presente investigación aborda los desafíos que enfrentan los consumidores en el entorno digital ecuatoriano debido a los contratos de adhesión, caracterizados por ser preestablecidos y no negociables. En la era digital, estos contratos son fundamentales para las transacciones comerciales, pero a menudo incluyen cláusulas abusivas o leoninas que limitan los derechos de los usuarios, favoreciendo desproporcionadamente a las empresas y generando desequilibrios contractuales. El objetivo principal de la investigación fue analizar la prevalencia y el impacto de las cláusulas leoninas en los contratos digitales de adhesión en Ecuador, con el propósito de proponer medidas que promuevan la transparencia y el equilibrio contractual. El estudio utilizó un enfoque cualitativo, mediante el análisis de contratos de adhesión en sectores clave como telecomunicaciones, banca y plataformas de entretenimiento. La revisión documental se complementó con entrevistas a expertos en derecho digital y protección al consumidor, lo que permitió evaluar las prácticas contractuales y su impacto en los usuarios. Los resultados revelaron que las cláusulas abusivas son comunes en los contratos digitales, destacando prácticas como la modificación unilateral de términos, la falta de reembolsos por servicios no utilizados, la imposición de penalizaciones encubiertas y el tratamiento ambiguo de datos personales. Estas cláusulas afectan la capacidad de los consumidores para tomar decisiones informadas, comprometen su autonomía financiera y vulneran su privacidad. Además, la complejidad y el lenguaje técnico de los contratos dificultan su comprensión, incrementando la desprotección del usuario. Se concluyó que los contratos de adhesión utilizados por proveedores de servicios digitales en Ecuador, contienen cláusulas leoninas que generan un desequilibrio contractual al favorecer desproporcionadamente a las empresas, afectando los derechos de los consumidores.
This research addresses the challenges faced by consumers in the Ecuadorian digital environment due to adhesion contracts, which are characterized by being pre-established and non negotiable. In the digital age, these contracts are essential for commercial transactions but often include abusive or leonine clauses that limit users' rights, disproportionately favoring companies and creating contractual imbalances. The objective of the research was to analyze the prevalence and impact of leonine clauses in digital adhesion contracts in Ecuador, with the aim of proposing measures to promote transparency and contractual balance. The study used a qualitative approach, analyzing adhesion contracts in key sectors such as telecommunications, banking, and entertainment platforms. The documentary review was complemented with interviews of experts in digital law and consumer protection, allowing for an assessment of contractual practices and their impact on users. The results revealed that abusive clauses are common in digital contracts, highlighting practices such as unilateral modification of terms, lack of refunds for unused services, imposition of hidden penalties, and ambiguous treatment of personal data. These clauses affect consumers' ability to make informed decisions, compromise their financial autonomy, and violate their privacy. Additionally, the complexity and technical language of the contracts hinder comprehension, increasing user vulnerability. The study concluded that adhesion contracts used by digital service providers in Ecuador contain leonine clauses that create a contractual imbalance by disproportionately favoring companies, thus affecting consumers' rights.
This research addresses the challenges faced by consumers in the Ecuadorian digital environment due to adhesion contracts, which are characterized by being pre-established and non negotiable. In the digital age, these contracts are essential for commercial transactions but often include abusive or leonine clauses that limit users' rights, disproportionately favoring companies and creating contractual imbalances. The objective of the research was to analyze the prevalence and impact of leonine clauses in digital adhesion contracts in Ecuador, with the aim of proposing measures to promote transparency and contractual balance. The study used a qualitative approach, analyzing adhesion contracts in key sectors such as telecommunications, banking, and entertainment platforms. The documentary review was complemented with interviews of experts in digital law and consumer protection, allowing for an assessment of contractual practices and their impact on users. The results revealed that abusive clauses are common in digital contracts, highlighting practices such as unilateral modification of terms, lack of refunds for unused services, imposition of hidden penalties, and ambiguous treatment of personal data. These clauses affect consumers' ability to make informed decisions, compromise their financial autonomy, and violate their privacy. Additionally, the complexity and technical language of the contracts hinder comprehension, increasing user vulnerability. The study concluded that adhesion contracts used by digital service providers in Ecuador contain leonine clauses that create a contractual imbalance by disproportionately favoring companies, thus affecting consumers' rights.
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Keywords
Clausulas leoninas, Derechos del consumidor, Cláusulas de adhesión