FTC banning online fake reviews [Video]

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Millions of fake reviews are online, and this week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) officially banned them.

The rule prohibits:

• fake or false consumer reviews, consumer testimonials, and celebrity testimonials, or those that misrepresent they are by someone who does not exist, such as AI-generated fake reviews, or who do not have any experience with the business.
• buying positive or negative reviews.
• insider reviews and consumer testimonials, such as those written by company insiders that fail disclose their connection to the business.
• company-controlled review websites, prohibiting businesses from misrepresenting that a website or entity it controls provides independent reviews or opinions about products or services that includes its own.
• suppressing negative consumer reviews through legal or physical threats, intimidation, or certain false public accusations.
• buying or selling fake indicators of social media influence, such as followers or views generated by a bot or hijacked account.

Kay Dean is a former criminal investigator …