NEW LAW AGAINST FAKE REVIEWS

New law against fake reviews: A measure to protect consumers and businesses

Find out how the new law against fake reviews is changing the way businesses do business online and offering consumers greater protection. Learn about the legal implications, penalties, and best practices for maintaining transparency in online reviews.

Introduction

In today’s digital world, online reviews have become an integral part of our decision-making as consumers. Whether we are looking for a new restaurant, product or service, we often turn to the opinions and experiences shared by other users to guide us. However, with the rise in influence of online reviews, there has also been an increase in false and misleading reviews that seek to manipulate consumer perception.

To address this growing problem, a new law against fake reviews has been implemented in several countries. This legislation is intended to protect consumers and ensure transparency in online reviews. In this article, we’ll explore in detail the new law against fake reviews, its impact on businesses and consumers, and best practices for maintaining the integrity of online reviews.

New law against fake reviews: What is it and how does it work?

The new law against fake reviews is a legal measure designed to combat the growing wave of misleading and fraudulent reviews online. This legislation seeks to establish clear rules and regulations for companies that collect and display reviews on their platforms.

What is the purpose of the new law against fake reviews?

The main objective of this new law is to protect consumers by providing them with accurate and reliable information about products and services. By regulating online reviews, it seeks to minimize the impact of deceptive practices and provide a more transparent environment for consumer decision-making.

How does the new law against fake reviews work?

The new law against fake reviews sets clear requirements for businesses that collect and post reviews online. These requirements include:

1. Identification and verification of reviewers: Companies must ensure that reviewers are real people and not bots or fake accounts. Different verification methods can be used, such as email authentication or linking with social media profiles.
2. Ban on False or Misleading Reviews: Businesses are required to take steps to prevent and remove false or misleading reviews. This includes the implementation of fraud detection systems and regular review of posted reviews.
3. Clear disclosure of any compensation: If reviewers or reviewers receive any compensation, whether in the form of free products, discounts, or other benefits, they must clearly disclose it in their review. This helps ensure transparency and prevents undue influence of compensation on the reviewer’s opinion.
4. Right to respond: The law also provides that consumers and businesses have the right to respond to reviews. This allows for an open and constructive dialogue between the parties involved.

What are the penalties for violating the new law against fake reviews?

Penalties for violating the new law against fake reviews may vary by country and by specific regulations. However, in general, non-compliant businesses that manipulate online reviews can face the following consequences:

1. Financial Fines and Sanctions: Businesses or individuals can be fined significant amounts of money, depending on the severity of the offense and the damage caused to consumers or businesses.
2. Closure of operations: In extreme cases of persistent violation of the law, the authorities may order the closure of the operations of the company in question. This can have a significant impact on your reputation and business viability.
3. Reputational damage: In addition to legal penalties, businesses caught manipulating fake reviews can also suffer significant reputational damage. Consumers tend to be wary of companies involved in deceptive practices, which can affect their customer base and bottom line.

What are the penalties?

The law provides for a minimum sanction for light sanctions of between €150 and €10,000 or between 4 and 6 times the illicit profit obtained from a false opinion. 

INCIBE, the national cybersecurity institute, warns of fines of more than 30,000 euros for harassing a business with false reviews. There are already court rulings with high fines, as pointed out by this body under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, “some companies and individuals see it as an opportunity to issue derogatory comments”, something that directly attacks the right to honor.