UNITED STATES — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a new rule aimed at cracking down on fake online reviews and review fraud.
The proposed rule prohibits buying or selling fake reviews, suppressing negative reviews, repurposing positive reviews for other listings, and leaving reviews without disclosing relationships. Violators of the rule will face civil penalties.
Fake reviews have long been a persistent issue for online shops and business platforms, with companies and new brands relying on them to boost their products and undercut competitors.
The FTC has increasingly taken action against such practices, including bringing cases against companies that have engaged in review fraud.
While some companies have advertised fake review services through their websites or social media channels, others have used generative AI systems to write reviews. The proposed rule is subject to a 60-day public comment period before it can take effect.
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