Trade Regulation Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 465 RIN 3084-AB76 ( printed page 68034) AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC” or “Commission”) is issuing this final rule and Statement of Basis and Purpose (“SBP”) relating to certain specified unfair or deceptive acts or practices involving consumer reviews or testimonials. This final rule, among other things, prohibits selling or purchasing fake consumer reviews or testimonials, buying positive or negative consumer reviews, certain insiders creating consumer reviews or testimonials without clearly disclosing their relationships, creating a company-controlled review website that falsely purports to provide independent reviews, certain review suppression practices, and selling or purchasing fake indicators of social media influence. DATES: This rule is effective October 21, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Ostheimer, (202) 326-2699, Attorney, Division of Advertising Practices, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Room CC-6316, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Background A. Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking B. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking C. Notice of Informal Public Hearing II. The Legal Standard for Promulgating the Rule A. Prevalence of Acts or Practices Addressed by the Rule B. Manner and Context in Which the Acts or Practices Are Decepti…