Stopping Sock Puppets, Shills & Astroturfers New UK laws could prohibit fake consumer commentary Monday Feb 12 2007 13:37 EDT Tipped by MxxCon Companies or individuals who pretend to be objective consumers in order to boost sales online could face criminal prosecution in the UK, according to the Times Online. The article suggests this is aimed at Guerilla marketing and self-reviews, but the report also claims it tackles fake consumer blogs. If such laws were passed in the United States, where would the lines be drawn? Would telecom-funded pseudo-consumer groups such as "Consumers for Cable Choice" be held accountable? Should they be? Do free speech protections apply? |
morboComplete Your Transaction join:2002-01-22 00000
2 recommendations |
morbo
Member
2007-Feb-12 12:56 pm
it should be made publicmaking it illegal won't fly here in the states, but requiring full disclosure on where the money has come from would be a start. for example, Consumers for Cable Choice would be required to prominently display that they are significantly (completely?) funded by telcos.
misleading the public and hiding behind the constitution is not what the founding fathers had in mind. | |
|