Facebook Removes 16k Groups for Trading Fake Reviews

Social media giant Facebook has removed thousands of groups from its platforms over the trading of fake and misleading reviews.

The cull occurred after two separate interventions by Britain’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

In January 2020, Facebook committed to improving its identification, investigation, and removal of groups and other pages where misleading and fake reviews were being traded, and to preventing their return. Four months later, Facebook gave a similar pledge in relation to its Instagram.com business.

During a follow-up investigation, evidence was found that fake reviews were still being traded on both platforms, prompting the CMA to intervene for a second time.

The CMA said on Friday that Facebook had taken down a further 16,000 groups that were dealing in fake and misleading reviews. The company has also changed the way it identifies, removes, and blocks from its platforms paid content that could mislead Facebook and Instagram users. 

“We have engaged extensively with the CMA to address this issue," said a spokesperson for Facebook. 

"Fraudulent and deceptive activity is not allowed on our platforms, including offering or trading fake reviews."

Facebook has committed to suspending or banning users who repeatedly create Facebook groups and Instagram profiles that promote, encourage, or facilitate fake and misleading reviews. New automated processes will be introduced to improve the detection and removal of this content. 

Changes wil ..

Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.