Fake reviews waste time and money​

Earlier this month, the US Federal Trade Commission banned fake reviews. FTC Chair Linda M Khan reported: “Fake reviews not only waste people’s time and money, but also pollute the marketplace and divert business away from honest competitors. By strengthening the FTC’s toolkit to fight deceptive advertising, the final rule will protect Americans from getting cheated, put businesses that unlawfully game the system on notice, and promote markets that are fair, honest, and competitive.”

In real-world terms, advertisers cannot buy fake reviews to help promote a movie. This includes both positive and negative reviews. But wait there’s more. This also includes reviews and testimonials from someone that does not exist. You guessed it, I am talking about AI here. The FTC feels AI-generated reviews are fake reviews. These are banned. I am quoting from https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/new...-final-rule-banning-fake-reviews-testimonials

The FTC has declared…​

Fake or False Consumer Reviews, Consumer Testimonials, and Celebrity Testimonials: The final rule addresses reviews and testimonials that misrepresent that they are by someone who does not exist, such as AI-generated fake reviews, or who did not have actual experience with the business or its products or services, or that misrepresent the experience of the person giving it. It prohibits businesses from creating or selling such reviews or testimonials. It also prohibits them from buying such reviews, procuring them from company insiders, or disseminating such testimonials, when the business knew or should have known that the reviews or testimonials were fake or false.

Buying Positive or Negative Reviews: The final rule prohibits businesses from providing compensation or other incentives conditioned on the writing of consumer reviews expressing a particular sentiment, either positive or negative. It clarifies that the conditional nature of the offer of compensation or incentive may be expressly or implicitly conveyed.

Insider Reviews and Consumer Testimonials: The final rule prohibits certain reviews and testimonials written by company insiders that fail to clearly and conspicuously disclose the giver’s material connection to the business. It prohibits such reviews and testimonials given by officers or managers. It also prohibits a business from disseminating such a testimonial that the business should have known was by an officer, manager, employee, or agent. Finally, it imposes requirements when officers or managers solicit consumer reviews from their own immediate relatives or from employees or agents – or when they tell employees or agents to solicit reviews from relatives and such solicitations result in reviews by immediate relatives of the employees or agents.

Company-Controlled Review Websites: The final rule prohibits a business from misrepresenting that a website or entity it controls provides independent reviews or opinions about a category of products or services that includes its own products or services.

Review Suppression: The final rule prohibits a business from using unfounded or groundless legal threats, physical threats, intimidation, or certain false public accusations to prevent or remove a negative consumer review. The final rule also bars a business from misrepresenting that the reviews on a review portion of its website represent all or most of the reviews submitted when reviews have been suppressed based upon their ratings or negative sentiment.

Misuse of Fake Social Media Indicators: The final rule prohibits anyone from selling or buying fake indicators of social media influence, such as followers or views generated by a bot or hijacked account. This prohibition is limited to situations in which the buyer knew or should have known that the indicators were fake and misrepresent the buyer’s influence or importance for a commercial purpose.

We’ve all seen fake reviews​

Anybody who ever felt they were reading online reviews were fake reviews and/or purchased, your voice has been heard. Fake reviews are now banned. Same with paid reviews, which I could argue are fake, BTW.

More​

AI ain’t so tough. See https://cybersafetynet.net/category/ai/ to help understand and use Artificial intelligence.

AI Disclosure necessity​

I added a global AI disclosure to my website. You should too. My disclosure is:

Some content here is generated by AI. The views expressed are the author's opinion and not legal advice. The author is not a lawyer. You are an adult and responsible for anything you do.

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Why you should disclose AI usage too​

As a content creator (we are all content creators, BTW), you might be wondering why you should include AI disclosure statements in anything you publish. Here are five reasons:

• Build Trust and Transparency. With an open AI disclosure, you build trust with your audience. When you inform them that some content comes from AI, you demonstrate transparency in your creative process, which strengthens your relationship with readers.
• Embrace Ethical Responsibility. Open disclosure shows that you take responsibility for your work. Clarifying which parts of your content are created by AI and which are your own enhances your credibility and highlights your commitment to integrity.
• Stay Ahead of Legal Trends. While AI disclosure may not be legally required yet, regulations are evolving. By including a disclosure now, you prepare yourself for future legal changes, helping you avoid potential complications down the road.
• Protect Your Creative Rights. Remember that AI-generated content cannot be copyrighted. By clearly distinguishing between your own creations and AI-generated material, you protect your intellectual property and safeguard your creative rights.
• Combat Misinformation. In an age where misinformation spreads rapidly, AI disclosure helps your audience identify what’s real and what’s not. Your commitment to accuracy resonates with readers and enhances their trust in your content.

Over disclosing is better than under disclosing​

A realtor told me I am better off over disclosing than under disclosing. I was selling a home at the time, but I think the strategy still works here. Including open AI disclosure allows you to build trust, embrace ethics, stay compliant with regulations, protect your rights, and contribute to a more informed community. This simple practice can significantly impact how your audience perceives your work! For more AI wisdom, see https://cybersafetynet.net.

Before I forget..."Some content here is generated by AI. The views expressed are the author's opinion and not legal advice. The author is not a lawyer. You are an adult and responsible for anything you do."

More​

AI ain't so tough. See https://cybersafetynet.net/category/ai/ to help understand and use Artificial intelligence.

Hello everyone,

I’m excited to share that I’ve recently taken on a part-time role as an IT Instructor in the Department of Computer Studies at a State University, alongside my work as a Freelance CompTIA Trainer. With 15 years of experience in IT operations support, I’m looking forward to leveraging this experience in my new role.

I’m considering proposing the integration of CompTIA A+ and Network+ training into our university curriculum. I understand that CompTIA training can be delivered in various formats, ranging from intensive bootcamps to more extended programs over several weeks, I am interested in adapting this content into a longer-term academic format that aligns with our semester schedule. Given our state university's very tight budget, I am exploring whether this adaptation is feasible and how it can be aligned with CompTIA’s guidelines and conditions.

If anyone has experience with integrating CompTIA certifications into an academic program, particularly within budget constraints, or knows if CompTIA offers semester-long formats for these certifications, I would greatly appreciate your advice and insights.

Thank you!