Amazon and Google investigated in UK over fake product reviews
3 years, 6 months ago

Amazon and Google investigated in UK over fake product reviews

CNN  

London CNN Business — British regulators are investigating whether Amazon and Google have broken consumer protection law by not doing enough to protect shoppers from fake product reviews. “Our worry is that millions of online shoppers could be misled by reading fake reviews and then spending their money based on those recommendations,” CMA chief executive Andrea Coscelli said in a statement. An Amazon spokesperson said the company devotes “significant resources to preventing fake or incentivized reviews from appearing in our store.” The company says it prevented 200 million suspected fake reviews last year being seen by customers around the world and earlier this month filed a lawsuit against the owners of two websites mentioned in the Which? “Our strict policies clearly state reviews must be based on real experiences, and when we find policy violations, we take action — from removing abusive content to disabling user accounts,” a Google spokesperson said.

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History of this topic

The internet is filled with fake reviews. Here are some ways to spot them
2 weeks, 3 days ago

The internet is filled with fake reviews. Here are some ways to spot them

New Indian Express  

The FTC, which this year banned the sale or purchase of fake reviews, said some of Rytr’s subscribers used the tool to produce hundreds and perhaps thousands of reviews for garage door repair companies, sellers of “replica” designer handbags and other businesses. “It can help with reviews make it more informative if it comes out of good intentions,” said Michigan …

The internet is filled with fake reviews. Here are some ways to spot them
Trending News
2 weeks, 3 days ago

The internet is filled with fake reviews. Here are some ways to spot them

Associated Press  

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce novel and detailed online reviews with almost no work has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory, watchdog groups and researchers say. The FTC, which this year banned the sale or purchase of fake reviews, said some of Rytr’s subscribers used the tool to produce …

As Yelp turns 20, online reviews continue to confound and confuse shoppers
3 months ago

As Yelp turns 20, online reviews continue to confound and confuse shoppers

Salon  

For the past 20 years, Yelp has been providing a platform for people to share their experiences at businesses ranging from bars to barbershops. For example, a recent study estimates that fake reviews compel consumers to waste 12 cents for every dollar they spend online. Real reviews can still mislead Even if all fake reviews were filtered out, do product …

Fake online reviews and testimonials are a headache for small businesses. They hope the FTC can help
4 months, 1 week ago

Fake online reviews and testimonials are a headache for small businesses. They hope the FTC can help

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Online reviews and testimonials are a key way that small businesses can attract new customers and boost sales of products. But fake reviews and testimonials have been a persistent problem for small businesses, many of whom rely on recommendations for business. “Fake reviews not only waste people’s time and money, but also pollute the marketplace and divert …

Fake online reviews and testimonials are a headache for small businesses. They hope the FTC can help
4 months, 1 week ago

Fake online reviews and testimonials are a headache for small businesses. They hope the FTC can help

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Online reviews and testimonials are …

Govt likely to make anti-fake review rules mandatory for e-commerce firms
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Govt likely to make anti-fake review rules mandatory for e-commerce firms

India TV News  

The government is set to take strict action to deal with fake reviews of products being sold on e-commerce websites/apps. The government is likely to make it mandatory for e-commerce companies to comply with quality norms for consumer reviews. However, the last year's direction failed to stop fake reviews of products and services on e-commerce platforms are still slipping through …

Google blocks more than 170 million policy-violating reviews in 2023: Report
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Google blocks more than 170 million policy-violating reviews in 2023: Report

India TV News  

Google has said that it has removed or blocked more than 170 million policy-violating reviews from last year on Maps and Search. This was done by using its new machine learning algorithm which helped the tech giant take down 45 per cent more fake reviews than the year before. Furthermore, the company has said that improvements to video moderation algorithms …

Amazon launches AI-generated review highlight feature to simplify product selection
1 year ago

Amazon launches AI-generated review highlight feature to simplify product selection

The Hindu  

Amazon on Tuesday launched AI-generated review highlights feature that provides a short paragraph on the product detail page highlighting its features and customer sentiment frequently mentioned across verified written reviews. Currently, the AI-generated review highlights feature will be available only in English with more languages to follow, said Kishore Thota, Director, Shopping Experience, India & Emerging Markets, Amazon. “Our ultimate …

The internet is littered with fake reviews. Amazon, Glassdoor and others are trying to fight back
1 year, 2 months ago

The internet is littered with fake reviews. Amazon, Glassdoor and others are trying to fight back

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Some of the most used platforms for travel and online shopping said Tuesday they’re going to team up to battle fake reviews. Amazon, reviews site Glassdoor and Trustpilot, as well as travel companies Expedia Group, Booking.com and Tripadvisor said in an announcement they’re launching a coalition that aims to protect access to “trustworthy consumer reviews” worldwide. Last …

Amazon, Tripadvisor and other companies team up to battle fake reviews while FTC seeks to ban them
1 year, 2 months ago

Amazon, Tripadvisor and other companies team up to battle fake reviews while FTC seeks to ban them

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Amazon, reviews site Glassdoor and Trustpilot as well as …

Why is Google on trial in the United States? | Explained
1 year, 3 months ago

Why is Google on trial in the United States? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: On September 12, Justice Amit Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia started hearing what is being described as the most important case about the future of the Internet. The key allegation against Google is that its “arrangements” with Apple and other companies to be the default search engine on their devices, …

Infocalypse: AI, fake reviews and trust in digital commerce
1 year, 5 months ago

Infocalypse: AI, fake reviews and trust in digital commerce

Hindustan Times  

Fears surrounding artificial intelligence have plagued human society since the dawn of the computer age. Online marketplaces also have market incentives to address this problem, as they are well aware that fake reviews undermine trust and credibility, leading to decreased user engagement and ultimately people's reluctance to use their platforms. Further, in India, initiatives such as the Open Network for …

Bogus online reviews are targeted by US regulators with new, proposed bans
1 year, 6 months ago

Bogus online reviews are targeted by US regulators with new, proposed bans

Associated Press  

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

Britain to take on Google, Amazon and Facebook with new legal powers
1 year, 8 months ago

Britain to take on Google, Amazon and Facebook with new legal powers

Live Mint  

Britain said on Tuesday it would introduce a new law to rein in the power that big tech companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon are able to wield to stifle competition in digital markets. Britain's antitrust watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority, set up a dedicated Digital Markets Unit two years ago, armed with the expertise to regulate new …

Explained | What does the new draft on online reviews outline?
2 years, 1 month ago

Explained | What does the new draft on online reviews outline?

The Hindu  

The story so far: On Monday, the Department of Consumer Affairs issued guidelines to curtail fake and deceptive product and service reviews on e-commerce websites. Work on the framework titled, ‘Online Consumer Reviews – Principles and Requirements for their Collection, Moderation and Publication’, began in June, when a committee was set up comprising industry stakeholders and consumer organisations. There are …

Govt goes tough on fake online reviews of products, services; issues guidelines
2 years, 1 month ago

Govt goes tough on fake online reviews of products, services; issues guidelines

India TV News  

Fake online product reviews: E-commerce players like Amazon and Flipkart will have to voluntarily disclose all paid consumer reviews of products and services offered on their platforms, with the government bringing in new norms to curb fake reviews and help buyers make informed decisions. Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh on Monday said the Bureau of Indian Standards has formulated …

Fake reviews may land online vendors in consumer courts
2 years, 1 month ago

Fake reviews may land online vendors in consumer courts

Live Mint  

E-commerce companies and eateries will have to ensure that the online reviews of their products and services are genuine, and their authors verifiable, under a new government framework to counter fake reviews released on Monday. If an organization wants to check if its website is adhering to the BIS standards, it can go to BIS and get it checked and …

Govt Announces New Norms to Curb Fake Online Reviews of Products, Services
2 years, 1 month ago

Govt Announces New Norms to Curb Fake Online Reviews of Products, Services

News 18  

E-commerce players like Amazon and Flipkart will have to voluntarily disclose all paid consumer reviews of products and services offered on their platforms, with the government bringing in new norms to curb fake reviews and help buyers make informed decisions. Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh on Monday said the Bureau of Indian Standards has formulated a new standard ‘IS …

Amazon sues admins of 10K Facebook groups over fake reviews
2 years, 5 months ago

Amazon sues admins of 10K Facebook groups over fake reviews

Associated Press  

Amazon has filed a lawsuit against administrators of more than 10,000 Facebook groups it accuses of coordinating fake reviews in exchange for money or free products. In the statement, Amazon said one of the Facebook groups it’s targeting, called “Amazon Product Review,” had more than 43,000 members. The company said Facebook removed the group this year, but it was able …

Amazon Has Sued Over 10,000 Facebook Group Admins Over Fake Reviews
2 years, 5 months ago

Amazon Has Sued Over 10,000 Facebook Group Admins Over Fake Reviews

News 18  

Amazon on Tuesday said it has filed legal action against the administrators of more than 10,000 Facebook groups that attempt to orchestrate fake reviews on the platform in exchange for money or free products. The e-commerce giant said that it will use information discovered in the legal action to identify bad actors and remove fake reviews commissioned by these fraudsters …

Amazon offers concessions to head off EU antitrust cases
2 years, 5 months ago

Amazon offers concessions to head off EU antitrust cases

Associated Press  

LONDON — Amazon, seeking to resolve two European Union antitrust investigations, has promised to treat third-party merchants on its website fairly, the bloc’s competition watchdog said Thursday. The U.S. online retail giant offered to make a number of commitments to ease competition concerns, and the European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s top antitrust enforcer, said it will now seek feedback on …

Amazon faces UK investigation over anti-competitive concerns
2 years, 6 months ago

Amazon faces UK investigation over anti-competitive concerns

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s competition watchdog is investigating whether Amazon is harming competition and hurting consumers by giving an unfair advantage to merchants that pay for extra services. The watchdog said it will consider whether Amazon gives an unfair edge to merchants using optional services that cost extra, including storage, packaging and delivery. With millions of customers in Britain, “it’s right …

Govt Working On New Ways To Protect Online Consumers From Fake Reviews
2 years, 7 months ago

Govt Working On New Ways To Protect Online Consumers From Fake Reviews

News 18  

New Delhi, May 27: The Centre on Friday said it will come out with a standard operating procedure to protect online consumers from fake reviews of products and services, after a detailed discussion with e-commerce entities and other key stakeholders on this issue. Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh, who chaired the virtual meeting with stakeholders, discussed the impact of …

Centre to formulate SoP to protect online consumers from fake reviews
2 years, 7 months ago

Centre to formulate SoP to protect online consumers from fake reviews

Firstpost  

Consumer organisations said e-commerce players are using filters like ’top reviews’ and ‘most relevant’, clearing away the negative reviews or pushing them down so that the ordinary consumer will not read those reviews New Delhi: The Centre on Friday said it will come out with a standard operating procedure to protect online consumers from fake reviews of products and services, …

Competition watchdog launches campaign to help shoppers spot rip-offs
2 years, 11 months ago

Competition watchdog launches campaign to help shoppers spot rip-offs

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a campaign …

Seeing stars: Charles Assisi on the murky world of fake reviews
3 years ago

Seeing stars: Charles Assisi on the murky world of fake reviews

Hindustan Times  

When an old acquaintance told me that he could massage the ratings of a book I wrote in 2018 and have it listed as a best-seller for as little as ₹5,000, he got my attention. He told me, rather casually, that he would use what is called the “fake reviews economy”. His business depended heavily on touched-up images, effusive reviews …

Britain to curb Google and Facebook with tougher competition rules
4 years, 1 month ago

Britain to curb Google and Facebook with tougher competition rules

The Hindu  

Britain will impose a new competition regime next year to prevent Google and Facebook using their dominance to push out smaller firms and disadvantage consumers. Google and Facebook dominate digital advertising, accounting for around 80% of 14 billion pounds spent in 2019, Britain's competition regulator the CMA said. The two U.S. companies have said they are committed to working with …

Google under review for possible British competition enquiry
4 years, 1 month ago

Google under review for possible British competition enquiry

The Hindu  

Britain's competition regulator said on Monday it was assessing whether a complaint about Google related to digital advertising warranted a formal competition law investigation. “If the urgency of the concerns requires us to intervene swiftly, we will also assess whether to impose interim measures to order the suspension of any suspected anti-competitive conduct pending the outcome of a full investigation.” …

Google may face UK online advertising antitrust probe after Brexit
4 years, 1 month ago

Google may face UK online advertising antitrust probe after Brexit

Daily Mail  

Google's domination of the UK's £14billion online advertising market must be the primary target of a blockbuster antitrust probe when Britain leaves the EU at the end of 2020, an influential group of publishers and adtech firms demanded today. Google dominates the UK search market across all platforms, especially in mobile, and must face an antitrust investigation, Marketers for an …

New law to ban fake reviews and protect consumers online
4 years, 2 months ago

New law to ban fake reviews and protect consumers online

Dutch News  

Fake reviews of products will be banned in new Europe-wide laws to protect consumer rights. ‘The rules for consumers in the physical world need to apply online,’ she said in a press release. Social media sites which require people to give up their personal information in order to gain ‘free’ access will need to be clearer about the contract they …

New law to ban fake reviews and protect consumers online
4 years, 2 months ago

New law to ban fake reviews and protect consumers online

Dutch News  

Fake reviews of products will be banned in new Europe-wide laws to protect consumer rights. ‘The rules for consumers in the physical world need to apply online,’ she said in a press release. Social media sites which require people to give up their personal information in order to gain ‘free’ access will need to be clearer about the contract they …

Amazon removes 20K product reviews to fight fake ratings: Report
4 years, 4 months ago

Amazon removes 20K product reviews to fight fake ratings: Report

India TV News  

E-commerce giant Amazon has taken down nearly 20,000 product reviews after some of the top reviewers in Britain were suspected to have accepted money or products in exchange for a five-star rating. The action by Amazon came on Friday after a Financial Times investigation flagged suspicious activities by nine of the top 10 reviewers on Amazon.co.uk. Fryer reviewed a gamut …

E-commerce sites are riddled with fake reviews with no regulatory solution in sight
5 years, 1 month ago

E-commerce sites are riddled with fake reviews with no regulatory solution in sight

Firstpost  

An increase of just one star in a rating on Amazon correlates with a 26 percent increase in sales In the world of e-commerce, the online review is king, the internet’s answer to walking into a store and trying out a product for yourself. “How can you tell if I’m just someone who’s being paid to write a review versus …

Google, Amazon will have to tell how they rank their rivals per new EU guidelines
5 years, 10 months ago

Google, Amazon will have to tell how they rank their rivals per new EU guidelines

Firstpost  

Google, Amazon and other tech firms will have to tell companies how they rank their own or rival products on their platforms under new rules agreed by EU negotiators aimed at stopping unfair practices by online platforms and app stores. Proposed by the European Commission in April last year, the platform-to-business law is targeted at Google Play, Apple App Store, …

Google, Amazon among those targeted in EU unfair practices digital rules
5 years, 10 months ago

Google, Amazon among those targeted in EU unfair practices digital rules

Live Mint  

Google, Amazon and other tech firms will have to tell companies how they rank their own or rival products on their platforms under new rules agreed by EU negotiators aimed at stopping unfair practices by online platforms and app stores. Google was hit with a 2.42-billion-euro EU antitrust fine in 2017 for favouring its own price comparison shopping service, while …

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