A federal rule banning fake online reviews is now in effect.

The Federal Trade Commission issued the rulein August banning the sale or purchase of online reviews. The rule, which went into effect Monday, allows the agency to seek civil penalties against those who knowingly violate it.

“Fake reviews not only waste people’s time and money, but also pollute the marketplace and divert business away from honest competitors,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said about the rule in August. She added that the rule will “protect Americans from getting cheated, put businesses that unlawfully game the system on notice, and promote markets that are fair, honest, and competitive.”

  • @finitebanjo
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    2529 days ago

    Some guy in India is gonna get fined $7,498,342.37 in three years and I’m all for it.

    • @HeyThisIsntTheYMCA
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      29 days ago

      Oh dude they literally had an activity at my old cult where they had everyone make a dozen fake reviews at each of their local buildings. That’s gonna be fun.

      • @[email protected]
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        1929 days ago

        I’m sorry, “my old cult”? Care to give some background? Obviously if you’d rather not that’s completely up to you :)

        • @finitebanjo
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          129 days ago

          I personally thought it was better ambiguous.

    • @johannesvanderwhales
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      529 days ago

      And then he won’t pay it because he’s in India and doesn’t pay a lot of attention to the US FTC.

      • @finitebanjo
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        29 days ago

        There is a very long history of expeditions and fines against foreign nationals involving spam, scams, etc. Here is a recent example., and another example, and a much older and bigger example

        But you never hear about any of the good stuff the US Government does for its people, nobody ever talks about that stuff.

        • @[email protected]
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          29 days ago

          I am surprised we don’t have a PR/propoganda department either breaking even or making money on Netflix documentaries. It’s like endless content.

          It could actually be a cool way for some career civil servants to ger a little payout towards the end of their career.