Law & Order

FTC Seeks Comments to Combat Fake Reviews and Other Deceptive Endorsements

By Washington, D.C., Staff

FTCThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks public comment on the potential harms stemming from deceptive or unfair review and endorsement practices used by businesses.

“Companies should know by now that fake reviews are illegal, but this scourge persists,” said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We’re exploring whether a rule that would trigger stiff civil penalties for violators would make the market fairer for consumers and honest businesses."

The FTC is asking for comments regarding the pervasiveness and potential harms to consumers and competition cause by fake reviews, paid reviews, fake review websites and similar practices.

If you are aware of competitors engaging in these practices that harm your business, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org to be incorporated into SEMA’s comments.