Google has agreed to do more to identify and eliminate false reviews, including the sanction of dishonest individuals and the United Kingdom companies that have manipulated their stars, said the United Kingdom control body.
The technology company will also issue “warning” alerts about the profiles of companies that use false reviews to increase their qualifications, said the competition and market authority (CMA).
The agreement occurs after the CMA initiated an investigation into Google in 2021 about the concerns that the consumer’s law may have violated by not taking sufficient measures to protect people from fraudulent reviews on their platforms. The guard dog began a similar investigation into Amazon in 2021, which is ongoing.
Every year, up to £ 23 billion of the United Kingdom consumer spending is potentially influenced by online reviews, according to the CMA.
Consumer Group Research Which? It has shown that up to 89% of consumers use online customer reviews when investigating a product or service.
Sarah Cardell, executive director of the CMA, said Google is “leading the way” when it comes to addressing false criticism.
She said: “The left without control, false reviews damage people’s confidence and leave the businesses that do the right thing at a disadvantage.
“The changes we have assured of Google say that there are robust processes, so that people can have confidence in revisions and make the best possible decisions.
She added: “This is a matter of equity, both for businesses and for consumers, and we encourage the entire sector to take note.”
Watchdog said that any business that publishes reviews should examine Google changes To see if their own practices must be modified, and added that not doing so could lead to an investigation and possible fine.
Google must inform the CMA for a period of three years to ensure that it meets the changes it has agreed.
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As of April, the CMA will have stronger powers, which will allow it to decide independently if the consumer’s law has broken without taking a case to court. Companies that violate the new regime could face a fine that represents up to 10% of their global turnover.
The Guardian dog has increased its Big Tech scrutiny, and this month launched two investigations, one aimed at Google’s search and advertising practices and other mobile and Google mobile platforms.
But the appointment of Doug Gurr, a former Amazon executive, since the new interim president of the Guardian forced the Minister of Business, Justin Madders, to deny that the government was “in the pocket of the great technology.”
A Google spokesman said: “Our long -standing investments to combat fraudulent content help us block millions of false reviews annually, often before they are published. Our work with regulators around the world, including CMA, is part of our continuous efforts to fight against false content and bad actors. “