Facebook has taken action to remove over 16,000 groups involved in the trading of fake and misleading reviews after pressure from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The tech giant made significant changes to its platforms, including suspending or banning users who repeatedly create such groups and making it more difficult to find them, following commitments secured by the CMA in early 2020.
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CMA Chief Executive Andrea Coscelli described the improvements as important but expressed disappointment that it took over a year for Facebook to implement them. He emphasised the critical role of online reviews, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic when e-commerce surged, and highlighted the harm caused by fraudulent reviews to both consumers and legitimate businesses.
The CMA had extended its oversight to Instagram, which Facebook owns, and will continue monitoring compliance. A Facebook spokesperson stated that the company has engaged extensively with the CMA and that fraudulent activity, including fake reviews, is prohibited on its platforms. They added that safety and security teams continually work to prevent such practices.
The crackdown reflects the growing scrutiny of online platforms to ensure transparency and trust in digital marketplaces, aiming to protect consumers and maintain fair competition in the retail sector.
Source: www.365retail.co.uk
