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FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews

ftc.gov

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Re: FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews

#141

Post by schmorptron »

Kiro wrote: post #113
devwastaken wrote: post #87

Good. Now also fine game companies releasing broken products. Fine any company selling products with "warranty void if removed" stickers. Mass shut down fake sale websites that do not sell the product imaged. I want to see the ftc breaking down doors and deleting entire companies off the face of the earth for their illigal practices. I can dream of course.

> Now also fine game companies releasing broken products. Do you have any example where this happened?

Most recently, eFootball released incredibly broken. Or the last gen versions of Cyberpunk 2077 on launch. (And to some extent still now)

Re: FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews

#142

Post by jbverschoor »

wly_cdgr wrote: post #137
locallost wrote: post #133

Generally I'd say product reviews are one of those ideas like passwords that work but don't survive introduction to the general public and mass use. The problems of authenticity are obvious, but I've also noticed that people who rely on word of mouth from their friends and colleagues are generally happier. And why wouldn't they be? A colleague tells you this e.g. monitor is perfect for your line of work so you get it…

Stop trying to make no passwords happen. It won't happen

Email a login link or temp pw. Passwords gone.

Re: FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews

#143

Post by HPsquared »

KajMagnus wrote: post #131
jonathankoren wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would have called this conspiracy territory, but then it broke that Amazon was doing exactly that in India. https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/amazon-i...

Does this indicate that by not fixing the fake reviews problem, Amazon can, whenever it wants, get rid of a troublesome competitor? (since the competitors are sort of forced to use fake reviews)

It's selective enforcement, in a different context.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_enforcement

Re: FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews

#144

Post by makeitdouble »

KajMagnus wrote: post #131
jonathankoren wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would have called this conspiracy territory, but then it broke that Amazon was doing exactly that in India. https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/amazon-i...

Does this indicate that by not fixing the fake reviews problem, Amazon can, whenever it wants, get rid of a troublesome competitor? (since the competitors are sort of forced to use fake reviews)

I guess it's double bound:

- they can really fix it (e.g. by kicking every fake review mandator) and drown competiting products far below in the search results, leaving "Amazon's choice" ones at the top.

With way fewer reviews it will be harder to argue the ranking results legitimacy.

- they don't fix it, and as you say, get an excuse to kick any random brand trying to stay afloat on their platform.

Either way Amazon wins.

Re: FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews

#146

Post by tchalla »

locallost wrote: post #133

Generally I'd say product reviews are one of those ideas like passwords that work but don't survive introduction to the general public and mass use. The problems of authenticity are obvious, but I've also noticed that people who rely on word of mouth from their friends and colleagues are generally happier. And why wouldn't they be? A colleague tells you this e.g. monitor is perfect for your line of work so you get it…

In addition, reviews are a prime example of sub-optimal communication by us. A lot of people don't write reviews for others but for themselves and thus, many of them are just unhelpful to me.

"Great restaurant, food was lovely. price is OK!" - Well, what was great about the restaurant. What is an "OK" price? Is it 5€ or 30€? You didn't probably order the entire menu, so what did you order? What did you like about your order?

Re: FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews

#147

Post by skunkworker »

Honestly fake reviews are to the point where naturally I’ll just google “$product_name Reddit” and get some more honest reviews than anything I find on Amazon. Yes there will be astroturfing, but you can also get into some more niche communities with more real feedback and discussion.

Re: FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews

#148

Post by shoto_io »

jbverschoor wrote: post #142
wly_cdgr wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Stop trying to make no passwords happen. It won't happen

Email a login link or temp pw. Passwords gone.

I share accounts (legally) with friends and my wife. How are we going to log in separately?

Re: FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews

#149

Post by thanhhaimai »

jbverschoor wrote: post #142
wly_cdgr wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Stop trying to make no passwords happen. It won't happen

Email a login link or temp pw. Passwords gone.

Maybe I'm missing something. You're just replacing the "password" by asking the user to login their email. It doesn't move us any closer to a "no password" world, unless there is also a proposal on how to make email password-less?

Re: FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews

#150

Post by tchalla »

PaulDavisThe1st wrote: post #52
whoisjuan wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Section 230 protects Amazon from this. They could still go after Amazon if they believe Amazon is negligent in fake user review controls. On paper I think Amazon probably does a lot, but probably not enough.

This is not a rhetorical question. What more do you think they should be doing?

Very simple - if they have fake reviews, they should be fined. If they can't do anything about it, they can innovate a "Customer Obsession" business model. It looks like Leadership Principles go down the drain when it affects the top line.
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