Amazon agrees to tackle fake reviews in UK: regulator

Core Points - UK regulators report that approximately 90% of consumers rely on online reviews for purchase decisions [3][5] - Amazon has committed to enhancing its systems to combat fake reviews and catalog abuse on its UK platform [4][6] - The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) indicates that online reviews potentially influence £23 billion ($31 billion) of UK consumer spending annually [5] Company Commitments - Amazon has signed undertakings to improve its measures against fake reviews and catalog abuse, which includes strict sanctions for businesses that manipulate star ratings [4][6] - The CMA has initiated a formal investigation into Amazon and Google regarding their handling of online reviews, following a broader inquiry into major review platforms [6][7] Industry Impact - The CMA emphasizes the importance of these commitments in fostering consumer confidence, ensuring that deceptive practices are addressed swiftly [6][7] - The ongoing scrutiny will extend to review platforms, businesses listing products, and the reviewers themselves to ensure compliance with strengthened laws against fake reviews [7]