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FTC's rule banning fake online reviews goes into effect

(abcnews.go.com)
613 points indus | 2 comments | 22 Oct 24 15:21 UTC | HN request time: 0.457s | source
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6510 ◴[22 Oct 24 17:32 UTC] No.41916600[source]▶
It all seems quite simple to me. Just require an order number and the date of purchase to write a review and require all reviews be publicly available in a machine readable format and that anyone may publish them.

If you pay me I can write the same using 1000 pages without adding anything useful.

replies(1): >>41923084 #
alok-g ◴[23 Oct 24 08:40 UTC] No.41923084[source]▶
>> Just require an order number ...

This does not solve the problem. Fake reviewers often purchase the product on paper.

Behind the scenes, the seller may not even ship and instead buy fake shipment tracking from the shipping company.

This is much more complex than what you are thinking.

replies(1): >>41927572 #
1. 6510 ◴[23 Oct 24 17:55 UTC] No.41927572[source]▶
You are right, my suggestion involves the lowest hanging fruit where one can purchase unlimited positive or negative reviews from unrelated parties.

I can google a far away barber who has accumulated 17 reviews over the last 10 years. Google then allows me to shit talk the guy for the world to see. 2 minutes of effort and its free! They get to carry it around like a badge of shame forever.

You should give me a discount or ill post a negative review and unleash the roaches on your hotel. It would be rude if you didn't.

edit: I think a digital ID would be useful for real reviews.

replies(1): >>41934760 #
2. alok-g ◴[24 Oct 24 12:17 UTC] No.41934760[source]▶
Indeed.

Both sides, product/service providers and consumers, try to game the system. That makes it very hard to figure what is the truth.