Links and News

An investigation found scam investment firms using fake five-star Trustpilot reviews and forged credentials to lure victims. Trustpilot said it removed 7.4 % of all 2024 reviews after detecting suspicious activity - its highest ever total. The story exposes ongoing manipulation risks and strengthens the case for independent verification.

After assessing 100 businesses, the CMA wrote to 54 companies over potential non-compliance with its April guidance. Findings highlight that enforcement under the DMCC Act is now active.

Following a four-year probe, Amazon agreed to strengthen detection and sanctions for fake reviews in the UK. The deal mirrors the CMA's earlier agreement with Google and signals wider platform accountability.

Trustpilot removed 4.5 million fake reviews in 2024 (7.4 % of submissions), up from 6.1 % the previous year. The platform credits expanded AI and manual moderation for the increase.

Under CMA commitments, Google will warn profiles suspected of manipulation, ban repeat offenders and tighten removals. A milestone in UK platform enforcement on review integrity.

The FTC's final rule prohibits selling, buying or distributing fake reviews and imposes civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation.

The Commission and national consumer authorities issued joint warnings to large marketplaces over inauthentic reviews, stressing mandatory disclosure and traceability requirements.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission cautioned businesses that AI-generated or incentivised reviews may breach the Australian Consumer Law.

BBC coverage of the CMA's press release confirming Google's agreement to clampdown on fake reviews. Includes comment from Consumer group Which? suggesting the need to be backed up with strong enforcement action, potentially including "heavy fines" if Google failed to stick to them.

Competition and Markets Authority press release on Google's agreement to make significant changes to how it tackles fake reviews and to sanction those that write fake or misleading reviews.

Leading law firm Lewis Silkin delves into the CMA's draft guidance on the DMCC Act's changes to consumer that will be introduced in April 2025. What should publishers of reviews be doing?

Just in time for Black Friday, The Sun's Mel Hunter dives into the world of fake reviews, providing shoppers with tips and advice to hopefully spot the fakes.

Coverage of the FTC's new ruling in the US. FTC's Chair says 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.”

A blog article published by the University of Bristol Law School considering the implications of the DMCC Act's legislation tackling fake reviews before the law was passed.

Which? says “Don't just trust that overall score”, giving tips on spotting fake reviews. TruthEngine agrees, and thankfully legislation is now here to provide more protection to consumers - our technology helps organisations detect the harder to spot fake reviews.

A detailed paper from consumer group Which? following six years of research into online reviews that sets out how platforms can take a Safety by Design approach to tackle fake reviews.

This article highlights Amazon's view that social media platforms and messaging apps are not doing enough to prevent a “cottage industry of fraudsters” soliciting fake reviews.

Four years ago (!), WEF said online reviews would influence $3.8 trillion of global e-commerce spend in 2021. It said that if only 4% of reviews were fake (using official figures and self-reporting from online platforms including Trip Advisor, Yelp, TrustPilot and Amazon), that would directly influence £152billion of spend.