Thank you for all of those who raised concerns about fraudulent reviews of businesses.

I share the concerns about fake reviews, such as when a supposed customer writes a review or provides a rating of a business, such as a pub or restaurant, when they have not visited or experienced the goods or service personally. I know how these fake reviews can cause serious harm to businesses, livelihoods and also affect the mental health of individuals.

I particularly sympathise with the issues faced by rural businesses that have been targeted by fake reviews, which can be devastating to their reputation and livelihood. I agree that we need to ensure that the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill provides adequate protection against financial harm and reputational damage caused by false communications. This Bill will ensure businesses and consumers are protected from rip-offs and can reap the full benefits of the digital economy with confidence.

You may be interested to know that in July 2021 the Government consulted on a number of proposals concerning consumer protection law. The Government’s response set out its approach to ensuring consumers are supported with a robust set of rights. In particular, the Government confirmed it will consult in due course on adding fake reviews to the list of banned practices – giving greater clarity to business on the current law and, where fake reviews are posted, allowing enforcers to take effective action quickly.

However, it is important to stress that companies that post fake reviews are breaking consumer law. In the past, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has taken enforcement action against a UK marketing company that wrote fake online reviews for small businesses. It has also taken enforcement action against a number of review sites to improve their systems and practices. The CMA continues to monitor the sector closely and will consider further enforcement work if necessary.

Indeed, following work conducted by the CMA, Facebook, Instagram, and eBay have all taken action to tackle the trading of fake reviews. You can find out more about these actions here: https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/fake-and-misleading-online-reviews.

Fake reviews that cheat customers, subscription traps that cost more than a billion pounds a year and new powers for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to tackle businesses that breach consumer rights law are all elements of today’s far-reaching Bill. In competitive markets, firms strive to give consumers the best products, most choice, and lowest possible prices. The Bill will provide the CMA with stronger tools to investigate competition problems and take faster, more effective action, including where companies collude to bump-up prices at the expense of UK consumers.

I hope that this will give greater clarity to business and, where fake reviews are posted, allow enforcers to take effective action quickly.

Thank you again for all those who took the time to contact me.