Guidelines setting out specific responsibilities for review authors and review managers were published on Friday and now apply to all online platforms that publish consumer reviews.
The new standards were finalized by BIS and went into effect after Consumer Affairs (DCA) received complaints about fake product reviews posted by e-commerce companies on social media and its platforms.
“The new guidelines for online reviews are designed to increase transparency and promote information accuracy for both consumers and brands.” Sachin Taparia, Founder of LocalCircles, a member of the BIS committee that drafted the .
As far as platforms such as Google and Meta go are concerned, the regulations require the person behind the review to be verified through six designated rights mechanisms.
For home-grown platforms like Swiggy and Zomato, reviews at the restaurant level are partially transparent, but “the food-level review process is not entirely transparent and needs to be designed accordingly,” says Taparia. said Mr.
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The guidelines ensure that negative reviews are not unreasonably suppressed in order to ensure that other consumers become aware of problems sooner. “These problems may be intentional or unintentional and may lead to a loss of trust in the online review process,” the BIS document states. Please read.
Some issues include false positive reviews written by suppliers/sellers themselves with the intention of misleading consumers, and supplier/seller competition with the intention of alienating consumers from other organizations. False negative reviews written by other companies.
According to Taparia, it’s common for hotels to invite bloggers and influencers for free nights on travel platforms and have them write good reviews, but “going forward, platforms will be able to disclose such sponsored reviews.” Because consumers need to be aware”.
These guidelines include app ratings on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Developers may run paid campaigns to get their apps rated 5 stars.
Apple and Google need to make a commitment about sponsored ratings reviews by these app developers.
“There are some product review and rating websites/apps that simply provide information and often plant negative reviews to attract brands. This has to change because of the
Violations of the new standards by any entity may be viewed as unfair trade practices or violations of consumer rights, and consumers are encouraged to submit such complaints to the National Consumer Affairs Department under the Department of Consumer Affairs. You can submit it to the helpline or the Central Consumer Protection Agency (CCPA).
