FTC bans fake online product reviews

The agency will enforce fines of up to $51,744 per violation

Woman unhappy with online purchase
The new rule 'will protect Americans from getting cheated,' said FTC Chair Lina Khan
(Image credit: Andrii Zastrozhnov / iStock / Getty Images)

What happened

Companies are now prohibited from paying for or selling online product reviews and generating other types of fake testimonials under a Federal Trade Commission rule that went into force Monday. The FTC rule, finalized and unanimously approved in August, will be enforced through civil penalties, including fines of up to $51,744 per violation.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.