On September 23, New York Attorney General, Eric T. Schneiderman, announced that as a result of a year-long undercover investigation, “Operation Clean Turf,” nineteen companies will pay more than $350,000 in penalties for fake review writing.
As stated by the Attorney General, these tactics constitute deceptive commercial practices, false advertising, and fraudulent and illegal conduct under New York and federal consumer protection law. The nineteen companies were found to be in violation of multiple state laws against false advertising and engaged in illegal and deceptive business practices.
The investigation uncovered deceptive techniques and practices employed by some leading Search Engine Optimization (“SEO”) companies in New York that included website manipulation known as “astroturfing.” By creating online fake profiles on consumer review websites, the companies engaged in the practice of “astroturfing” to hide their identities. They faked their support and reviews of products and services and then flooded internet websites including CitySearch, Google Local and Yelp.
New York AG Announces Settlement With 19 Companies for Fake Online Reviews
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