New Delhi: The government will make counterfeit screening standards mandatory for e-commerce companies to protect the interests of consumers. The Department of Consumer Affairs will notify the Quality Control Order (QCO) about online consumer reviews after voluntary efforts failed to effectively curb fake reviews.
A year ago, the ministry had issued quality standards for e-tailers that prohibited them from publishing paid reviews and required them to disclose such promotional content. “Some organizations claim to be compliant, but fake reviews are still being posted. We are consulting with stakeholders this week. We want to make standards compulsory,” Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has prepared draft standards for 'online consumer reviews' and distributed them to stakeholders. The draft QCO stipulates that all organizations that manage and publish online consumer reviews (known as review managers) must comply with the Code. You must ensure that only “genuine” reviews are published and that “fake or deceptive” consumer reviews are not published online.
According to the draft code, companies must not publish reviews purchased and/or written by individuals, suppliers, or third parties hired for that purpose. You may not reward or incentivize consumers based on the content of reviews they submit. “Organizations may not edit reviews to change the message. Organizations may not prevent or discourage people from posting negative reviews.”
A year ago, the ministry had issued quality standards for e-tailers that prohibited them from publishing paid reviews and required them to disclose such promotional content. “Some organizations claim to be compliant, but fake reviews are still being posted. We are consulting with stakeholders this week. We want to make standards compulsory,” Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said.
Expanding
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has prepared draft standards for 'online consumer reviews' and distributed them to stakeholders. The draft QCO stipulates that all organizations that manage and publish online consumer reviews (known as review managers) must comply with the Code. You must ensure that only “genuine” reviews are published and that “fake or deceptive” consumer reviews are not published online.
According to the draft code, companies must not publish reviews purchased and/or written by individuals, suppliers, or third parties hired for that purpose. You may not reward or incentivize consumers based on the content of reviews they submit. “Organizations may not edit reviews to change the message. Organizations may not prevent or discourage people from posting negative reviews.”
