Google has committed to stronger guarantees against fake online reviews in the UK by promising to tighten the screws on misleading practices and punish companies and individuals who turn to being strengthened by their stars by fraud.
The agreement comes in the aftermath of an investigation by the CMA, which warned that unintended reviews can affect up to 23 billion pounds from spending consumers every year.
In its pledge, Google said it would define the fraudulent content and remove it more quickly, and even issue warning signs on the personal files of the violating companies. Sarah Kardel, CEO of the Capital Markets Authority, welcomed this step, saying: “If the fake reviews leave without examination, they will harm people’s confidence and leave companies that do the right thing in a non -favorable position. The changes we got from Google ensure the implementation of strong operations, So people can trust in reviews and make the best possible options.
She added that this development is a “issue of justice – for each of the companies and consumers” and urged other platforms to review its operations, reminding it that the Capital Markets Authority has new powers starting from April to decide independently whether the consumer law has been violated, with fines imposed by some It reaches 10 percent of the volume of international works for non -compliance.
Under the agreement, Google must submit a report to the Capital Markets Authority over the next three years to prove that it respects its new obligations. “Our long -term investment to combat fraudulent content helps us prevent millions of fake reviews annually – often before publishing them.”
The Capital Markets Authority launched its investigations with Google and Amazon in 2021, fearing that both of them did not do enough to prevent the spread of fake reviews on their platforms. The investigation conducted by the Capital Markets Authority in the Google case reached a solution to this agreement, while the investigation into the Amazon case is still ongoing.
The organizational authority has increased its supervision of major technology companies in recent months, including opening separate investigations into research and advertising practices in Google and the operating systems of Apple and Google. Meanwhile, the new interim president of the Capital Markets Authority, Duj Gore, a former executive of Amazon, Business Minister Justin Maders, prompted the rejection of allegations that the government is “in the pocket of major technology companies.”