Protecting consumer interest: Govt may issue guidelines to curb fake reviews online – Check details

Online Fake Reviews: The Government of India (GOI) may issue standard guidelines on Monday, November 20,2022 to prevent posting of fake reviews on the web. 

A fake review can be defined as a positive, neutral or negative review that is not an actual consumer's honest and impartial opinion or that does not reflect a consumer's genuine experience of a product, service or business.

These guidelines will be applicable to all items, products and services, and are prepared on the basis of the report of the committee formed in June that included representatives of Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII),  Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and all stakeholders.

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According to the new guidelines, reviewers will have to submit their identity documents, bill, photo or video to the E-commerce platform that will verify the documents and approve the comment before it is visible to other users. Reviewers can also opt for Know your Customer (KYC) option to verify their status as a buyer and legitimate commenter. 

All unverified buyer/users' reviews will be then removed from the platform, as per the report.

Zee Business on September 15 had reported that the government shall issue rules to protect consumer interests. 

While giving out the guideline, the government had said that companies have made many rules and have many legal rights. Thus, there is a need for guidelines based on the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) standard regulation for customers.

The government had also said that if the companies did not agree to the guidelines, it would be made mandatory.

The rules were formulated by the BIS and the companies were then given seven days to clarify their existing rules and framework on creating necessary infrastructure. 

In a meeting with Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) Commissioner, the government had said that they shall fine fake paid positive reviews and shall also fine fake five-star ratings

GOI had said that they shall also take action against companies who pay to give negative fake reviews against competition.

The fine amount will vary between Rs 10 lakhs to 50 lakhs and CCPA can also take suo-motu cognizance against the offender. 

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