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Bogus online reviews are targeted by US regulators with new, proposed bans
apnews.com ^ | June 30, 2023

Posted on 07/01/2023 7:22:53 PM PDT by lowbridge

Federal regulators are looking to crack down on fake reviews and other deceptive internet practices.

The Federal Trade Commission proposed a new rule Friday that would ban paying for reviews, suppressing honest reviews, selling fake social media engagement and more. Businesses would also be prohibited from running company-controlled websites that claim to be independent, and other deceptive practices like “review hijacking,” which makes reviews for one product appear like they were written for significantly different ones.

If the proposed rule is approved, following a 60-day public comment period, violators could face hefty penalties.

“Our proposed rule on fake reviews shows that we’re using all available means to attack deceptive advertising in the digital age,” Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement. “The rule would trigger civil penalties for violators and should help level the playing field for honest companies.”

In Friday’s notice to proposed rulemaking, the FTC noted that it already considers fake reviews and other deceptive actions to be unlawful — but that the new bans “may increase deterrence against these practices,” allow for civil penalties and help get financial compensation to victims, the agency said.

Estimates about the portion of reviews online that are fake range from 4% to more than 30%, according to researchers at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles’ Anderson School of Management. According to 2021 numbers from the World Economic Forum and CHEQ, fake reviews impact some $152 billion in global spending each year.

In addition to FTC efforts to tackle fake reviews in the past — which include multi-million-dollar settlements with online retailers — more companies say they are now taking deceptive online practices seriously.

In July of last year, for example, Amazon filed a lawsuit against administrators of more than 10,000 Facebook groups

(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ftc

1 posted on 07/01/2023 7:22:53 PM PDT by lowbridge
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To: lowbridge

This could backfire big time. The woke a-holes are big on review bombing anything they don’t think is woke enough.


2 posted on 07/01/2023 7:26:45 PM PDT by gibsonguy
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To: lowbridge

Will probably shut down all government online information sites if they adhere to the ban standards.


3 posted on 07/01/2023 7:34:47 PM PDT by RetiredTexasVet (Biden not only suffers fools and criminals, he appoints them to positions of responsibility. )
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To: lowbridge

““review hijacking,” which makes reviews for one product appear like they were written for significantly different ones.”

review hijacking and amazon’s inaction to stop it has virtually destroyed the utility of amazon reviews ...


4 posted on 07/01/2023 9:28:25 PM PDT by catnipman (In a post-covid world, ALL "science" is now political science: stolen elections have consequences)
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To: lowbridge
Mostly on Commizon.
5 posted on 07/01/2023 9:29:10 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Follow the money. Even if it leads you to someplace horrible it will still lead you to the truth.)
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To: lowbridge
I use Fakespot..
6 posted on 07/01/2023 9:49:12 PM PDT by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: lowbridge

Does this mean Youtube has to reinstate dislikes for their videos? Right now the only options are positive thumbs ups or nothing. They eliminated the thumbs down option since Brandons stuff was getting too much of them.


7 posted on 07/02/2023 3:57:33 AM PDT by xp38
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To: lowbridge
Three Wolf Moon Shirt Reviews
8 posted on 07/02/2023 11:52:38 AM PDT by Rebel_Ace (Let's go Brandon!)
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