Digital Dose: FTC’s New Rules on Fake Reviews and Google’s Privacy Pivot

Welcome to your dose of trending news from the digital universe, courtesy of the Spectrum Science Innovation Team.

In this edition of Digital Dose, we’re diving into FTC’s new rule on fake reviews and Google’s change in cookie policy.

FTC Announces Final Rule Banning Fake Reviews and Misuse of “Indicators of Social Media Influence”

A new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule, effective in October, is designed to push back against fake reviews and “promote markets that are fair, honest, and competitive.” In addition to prohibiting fake reviews, the rule bans buying positive or negative reviews, review suppression, and selling or buying fake indicators of social media influence. Read More.

Why it matters: That last point caught our attention because it refers to social media followers or views generated by a bot or hijacked account. It’s been a while since we had to talk a well-intentioned Marketing/Communications manager out of buying followers (it won’t deliver the results you want) but it’s refreshing to see the FTC include deterring the less-than-reputable practice in this new rule.

Google Changes Course on Privacy Sandbox Initiative

On July 22, Google announced it would no longer be depreciating third-party cookies on its Chrome browser, deciding not to proceed with the planned phase-out as outlined in its Privacy Sandbox initiative. Rather, they plan to refocus their efforts on giving individual users the choice to be tracked by third-party cookies rather than denying them the option by default. Read More.

Why it matters: This decision followed considerable criticism from key stakeholders, including a UK data regulator who expressed concerns that the removal of cookies and shift to Google’s Privacy Sandbox could lead to anti-competitive practices, potentially giving Google an unfair advantage in the digital advertising market. Additionally, advertising executives and industry trade organizations voiced doubts about the viability and effectiveness of Google’s proposed alternatives to third-party cookies, questioning their ability to maintain the current ecosystem’s balance.

Stay tuned for more information surrounding third-party cookie phase-out plans and implications from Spectrum Science in the coming weeks.

Interested in more? Don’t miss these additional digital headlines:

• Instagram Chief Flags Coming Changes to Profile Grid Displays [Social Media Today]

• Elon Musk’s X Sees Decline in Users in the EU [Euro News]

• The FDA Cleared This New App to Treat Depression [Mashable]

• Google Gives Buyers More Transparency and Controls for Performance Max [AdWeek]

Have questions or comments on the content of this blog? Email Innovation@SpectrumScience.com