U.S. Government Will Take Action Against Fake Reviews And AI-Generated Reviews

As a long-time consumer and fan of various media, I can’t help but feel relieved and vindicated by this recent move by the Federal Trade Commission against fake reviews. For years, I’ve found myself sifting through a sea of dishonest reviews, trying to find an honest opinion about a product or show. The sheer volume of these fake reviews has been overwhelming, often leaving me questioning the authenticity of even the most glowing recommendations.


It has become common practice for some individuals to engage in review bombing, particularly with shows like Star Wars: The Acolyte receiving an overwhelming number of fake, negative reviews. However, it’s important to note that the Federal Trade Commission is now cracking down on these false and AI-generated reviews. But this doesn’t imply that government officials will be knocking on your door if you post a critical review.

According to the FTC’s website, the new regulation isn’t aimed at punishing individuals who post negative reviews out of malice. Instead, it focuses on discouraging paid reviews or testimonials that are biased in favor of a product or service, regardless of whether they are written by humans or artificial intelligence. These practices can distort genuine feedback and often deceive consumers by hiding the true nature of products.

In her statement, FTC Chair Lina Khan emphasized that false reviews not only mislead consumers by wasting their time and money, but they also contaminate marketplaces and steer business away from genuine competitors. By enhancing the FTC’s ability to combat deceptive advertising with this final rule, she believes it will safeguard Americans against being swindled, warn businesses that flout the rules, and foster a fair, trustworthy, and competitive market environment.

In essence, it is now forbidden for businesses to purchase reviews without disclosing that they were generated by an AI or written by individuals who haven’t actually experienced the product. Furthermore, businesses are not allowed to entice real customers with incentives to post any kind of review, be it positive or negative.

After being officially published in the Federal Register, the recently implemented rule will become active exactly 60 days later.

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2024-08-15 21:08