Trustpilot Faces Complaint from Competition Authority
Trustpilot, a dominant Danish review platform, faces allegations of publishing false reviews and potentially violating the law against unfair competition. A letter from the Competition Center, based in Bad Homburg near Frankfurt, was made available to the German Press Association. The letter suggests that Trustpilot misrepresents a 100% authenticity of reviews, a claim the Competition Center criticizes.
In a period spanning from October of the previous year to February, 86 intentionally fraudulent reviews were deliberately submitted on Trustpilot, according to the Competition Center. Out of these, 31 were published, while 55 were deleted. Remarkably, the majority of the deleted reviews were positive.
In response to the Competition Center's accusations, Trustpilot, headquartered in Copenhagen, stated it is currently examining the allegations. The company emphasized its efforts over the years to protect the platform's integrity by employing advanced technology and specialists to detect fraudulent activities. Trustpilot also highlighted its transparency in handling allegations of fraud.
The Competition Center's complaint against Trustpilot was initiated by a member company. The Center demanded a public statement from Trustpilot. Regarding the specific legal actions against Trustpilot, further details would depend on the jurisdiction and the specific case.
According to experts, platforms like Trustpilot play a crucial role in the digital marketplace by allowing consumers to rate and review companies like online shops. However, concerns about the authenticity of reviews have led to various legal challenges and controversies for these platforms.
Sources: ntv.de, dpa
- The Competition Center, in its letter, has raised concerns about Trustpilot's employment policy regarding the handling and publication of reviews, especially in their supposed commitment to authenticity and transparency.
- As the allegations of falsified reviews and potential legal violations against Trustpilot continue to unfold, the business, politics, and general-news circuit is closely monitoring the finance-driven digital marketplace, with a focus on the community policy and employment policy of platforms like Trustpilot.
