United States:
Hunton Retail Law Resource Blog: FTC Emphasizes That Providing Free Products Can Bias Reviews
26 April 2019
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com.
In a case signaling that the FTC intends to continue its
crackdown on review manipulation, snack company UrthBox, Inc. has
reached a settlement with the FTC after
allegedly misrepresenting that its customer reviews were
independent, despite the fact that reviewers had been incentivized
with free products and other goodies. According to the FTC, UrthBox
also failed to adequately disclose to consumers key terms of its
"free trial" automatic renewal programs. The settlement
requires UrthBox to take all reasonable steps to remove any reviews
or endorsements with which it has a material connection from online
review websites, to disclose negative option and free trial
features, and to pay $100,000 in consumer redress.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.
POPULAR ARTICLES ON: Consumer Protection from United States
Dark Chocolate And Heavy Metals
Holland & Knight
In December 2022, Consumer Reports published a study on lead and cadmium in dark chocolate. Dark chocolate came into vogue when studies showed antioxidants in it may have health benefits.
FTC Updates (April 8 – April 12, 2024)
Crowell & Moring LLP
The FTC kept busy through the week of the ABA Antitrust Spring Meeting including an appearance by Chair Lina Khan at the Spring Meeting on an antitrust enforcement panel.
No Asbestos In Cosmetic Talc Products Says FDA
Duane Morris LLP
On April 5, 2024 the US Food and Drug Administration confirmed that its third-party testing of cosmetic talc products for 2023 identified no traces of asbestos in any of the 50 cosmetic samples tested.