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| Initiatives have been taken to prevent false promotion of products |
Google has adopted stricter policies to combat fake reviews online, aiming to take severe action against individuals and organizations attempting to boost their business reputation through fraudulent reviews. The British regulatory authority, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), confirmed this in a statement released yesterday, Sunday.
The CMA stated that Google would utilize advanced technologies and strategies to identify and swiftly remove fake reviews. It also warned that those attempting to increase their star ratings through fake reviews would face strict measures. Additionally, reviews from individuals who repeatedly post fake or misleading content will be deleted, and they will be barred from posting reviews in the future. This restriction will apply not only in the UK but across all Google platforms.
Businesses artificially inflating their ratings using fake reviews will have warnings displayed on their profiles. They will be prohibited from receiving new reviews, and if they persist in such activities, all reviews from the past six months or more may be removed.
Google also announced a new system that will enable customers to easily report fake reviews. This system will also address incidents where reviews are obtained through financial incentives or other tactics.
Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, said, "Google's new policy will play an important role in combating fake reviews. It will help consumers make informed decisions with confidence and create a fair competitive environment for honest businesses."
In a statement, Google said, "Our long-term investments in tackling fake content help prevent millions of fake reviews from being published each year." The company further mentioned its ongoing collaboration with various regulatory bodies worldwide as part of its efforts to curb fake reviews and dishonest practices.
The CMA is also investigating Amazon regarding fake reviews. An investigation into Google and Amazon began in 2021 to evaluate whether the companies were taking adequate measures to prevent fake reviews. The issue gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic when the demand for online shopping surged, leading to an increase in fake review activities.
Fake reviews have long been a significant issue on the internet. Some online shopping and travel service providers are working jointly to tackle this problem. Meanwhile, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has imposed restrictions on buying and selling fake reviews and is levying fines on those involved in such activities.
Fake reviews are often orchestrated through secret groups on social media platforms. Businesses connect with fake reviewers in these groups and sometimes offer financial incentives or gifts to encourage customers to leave positive reviews. Experts believe that tackling this problem requires more effective initiatives from tech companies and stricter oversight from regulatory authorities.
Source: Indian Express
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