On October 9, 2025, the president of the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH), Csaba Balázs Rigó, highlighted the importance of protecting children and families in the digital realm at the 'Together for Consumers' conference organized by the National Trade and Consumer Protection Authority (NKFH) in Budapest.

Rigó pointed out that younger generations are born into the digital world but are often vulnerable to manipulative content. He stressed that protecting children is not only a consumer protection issue but also a social responsibility that requires collective action.

The conference brought together representatives from various state authorities and civil organizations involved in consumer protection. Rigó emphasized that the Hungarian consumer protection system is comprehensive and unique, with multiple national and regional authorities working daily to safeguard consumers.

He noted that the GVH oversees the proper functioning of economic competition mechanisms and works to prevent or eliminate practices that restrict or distort competition, thereby serving the interests of consumers and supporting the competitive position of Hungarian businesses.

Rigó mentioned that only nine EU member states have consumer protection powers similar to those of the GVH. The authority primarily initiates consumer protection proceedings in cases of suspected unfair or misleading commercial practices affecting a wide range of consumers.

He called for active cooperation among authorities to ensure effective law enforcement, citing examples such as the crackdown on illegal vaping products and the prohibition of unlawful online gambling. He also highlighted the online price monitoring system established in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs as a tool to assist Hungarian consumers.

Rigó underscored the significance of taking active measures against large technology companies, which exert market power that is further amplified by the use of artificial intelligence. He stated that consumers pay with their time, attention, and data, and that authorities like the GVH have a crucial responsibility to protect the interests of Hungarian citizens and the market entry opportunities for local small and medium-sized enterprises.

Finally, Rigó announced the need for a national professional initiative—a digital family protection movement—to reduce and prevent digital threats to families and children, reiterating the call to protect children in the digital space.