The government of India took an action on Monday against fake and unverified consumer reviews and ratings in order to make the online world more user-friendly and reliable. The GOI drafted guidelines for companies from google to social media apps to travel sites and food delivery apps. The e-commerce apps depend on reviews to generate sales. These guidelines will come into effect from November 25. The regulation aims at curbing unfair trade practices.
The reviews available online were identified as downplaying, fake and negative by consumers. The Department received a trail of complaints about fake reviews. In the month of June, a committee was set up by the Department of Consumer Affairs to develop a framework for checking fake reviews in e-commerce said the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The new instructions for online reviews will increase transparency for the customers as well as the brands. This also promotes the accuracy of information present online.
The guidelines are not yet mandatory. All the details of the proposal are not known to the public yet. Sachin Taparia, founder of Local Circles said that the new rules will require validation of the real person behind the reviews by some specified mechanisms. Taparia also said that as a result of this, some companies could face action for unfair trade practices.
