Trustpilot, a key player in online reviews, wins a crucial UK legal case.
- The case targeted websites selling fake reviews, infringing Trustpilot’s rights.
- Ruling coincides with upcoming UK law banning fake review sales.
- Trustpilot removed 3.3 million fake reviews in 2023, showing dedication to authenticity.
- The company urges internet and payment providers to act against these websites.
Trustpilot, a ubiquitous figure in consumer reviews, has secured a monumental legal triumph in the UK. The decision targets websites found guilty of selling fabricated reviews, undermining Trustpilot’s platform integrity. This court ruling serves as a potent message against such deceptive practices in digital marketplaces.
The High Court identified and condemned the actions of several websites, including TPR, SMM Service Buy, and SMM 420. These entities were illicitly encouraging businesses to violate Trustpilot’s terms by purchasing fake reviews, falsely presenting them as legitimate. Additionally, they were found guilty of infringing Trustpilot’s trademark, further validating the seriousness of the offense.
As this verdict aligns with the impending enactment of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act in April 2025, it empowers the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to rigorously penalize companies engaging in the buying or selling of fake reviews. This preemptive action by Trustpilot emphasizes their resolve to maintain an honest review ecosystem.
Anoop Joshi, Trustpilot’s chief trust officer, firmly stated, “This is a significant moment in the fight against websites that sell fake reviews, and we want to send a clear message that we will not tolerate review seller activity on Trustpilot.” Trustpilot’s proactive approach is evident as they have pursued legal action against ten different entities over the past two years, consistently opposing the manipulation of their platform.
In 2023, Trustpilot removed approximately 3.3 million fake reviews, representing about 6% of the total reviews processed annually. This steadfast effort underscores their commitment to providing genuine feedback for businesses and consumers. Trustpilot’s ongoing efforts are crucial for protecting their platform’s integrity and the trust users place in it.
Following the ruling, Trustpilot is actively appealing to internet service and payment providers to dismantle the identified sites from their services. Such a strategic move is intended to prevent further exploitation of the platform and curb the prevalence of fraudulent reviews.
Trustpilot’s decisive legal victory marks a critical step in eliminating fake review practices online.
