FTC takes first steps towards regulating blogging
I suppose this could also go in my Technology category, but given the ramifications, I thought I should put it on the front page. A very fierce battle of words has been raging over how much regulation the Internet should have. With the advent of blogging, it is very easy for anyone who cares to do so to write about any topic they want. News, politics, technology, animal rights, etc., the list goes on and on. Mention just about any topic you want and you will probably be able to find a blog that mentions it.
I first got wind of this from Matt, over at Matt’s Musings. He published an article about it yesterday, talking about how steps were being taken that would regulate blogging. I suggest you read his article to get more insight on what is transpiring.
When I first started blogging, I didn’t dream anyone would really want to read what I had to say. It was first just some random thoughts about my life and then moved into news and politics. As you can see in the link above, I have also written about technology products, mainly software. All of those products are free to the public, with the exception of one. I will come back to it in a moment.
As the use of the Internet grows, so has the debate over how to govern it’s use, or if any governing is needed. The main focus of the new ruling by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is how online reviews are handled, as well as product information. Okay, now a question to you, the reader. How many times have you been in the market for a new product, be it a cell phone, vehicle, firearm (for all of you gun folks), or maybe even a service of some kind? Now, how many times have you went searching on the Internet to find information about that particular product or service? Let me give you an example.
When I was ready to upgrade my cell phone, I was leaning towards the Samsung Eternity. Although my brother had one, I searched extensively online, gleaning every piece of information I could glean. That research resulted in my purchasing the Eternity and it also allowed me to know the phone, before I made the purchase. Does that sound familiar?
What many people may not know is that many online product reviews are paid for by the manufacturer of those products. In other words, the reviewer may be receiving free merchandise in exchange for their review. Until the ruling by the FTC, these payments did not have to be disclosed by the reviewer or blogger. As long as the FTC does not move to limit the availability of information, then I see no problem with these rulings. I am sure those companies who spend millions for space on social media networks may have a different opinion.
Although some may see this as a step towards regulating the information that is available on the Internet, I do not. The only bloggers that will be affected are those who receive some sort of compensation for their review. Doing so basically turns the review into an advertisement and those who read the review have a right to that information. Let’s go back to the software review I mentioned above.
Most of the reviews I have written have been for free products, with the exception of one. Moneydance is a personal finance manager and it is not a free product. A lot of people would shy away from it because it is not open source, but that does not take away from the fact that it is a good program. Of the two different programs I reviewed, it is the one I am using and I have no intentions of changing. The review that I published was on my own accord. For the record, I purchased the program with my own money and there was no freebies involved. Had that not been the case, I would have felt obligated to disclose that information when the review was published.
Some bloggers have evidently not been so forthright, but I feel that I would have little choice. The main theme on my blog, be it concerning a political or technology article, is the truth. I do my best to give my readers a fair assessment of anything I write about. Political Realities may not be the widest read blog on the Internet, but I want those who do read it to be able to trust that I am being honest and open about what I write. To do anything else takes away from my integrity. If I lose that, what else do I have?
I, too, have purchased products based on someone’s personal review. After all, if a consumer has experience using a product in much the same way that I would, then their review holds more weight in my eyes than what a professional reviewer would share such as Consumer Reports.
Currently, I do book reviews and other product reviews, disclosing that the product or item has been given to me for testing. Still, I’m going to be extremely picky from this point forward on what I do review because I want to remain in compliance with the law.
Besides, just one $11K fine would bankrupt me!
Matt Keegan´s last blog ..Surging Overdraft Fees Hurting Americans, Advocacy Group Says
Larry,
It would appear that this is a trade ruling to regulate what, in any other medium, are known as advertorials. Net neutrality purists probably have a different opinion about this, but I think regulating fair business practices is not the same thing as regulating speech. The internet, used as a commercial vehicle, should be treated no differently than any other broadcast or print medium, and it’s the FTC’s job to protect consumers by preventing fraud, deception and unfair business practices-no matter where it’s practiced.
Advertising is the “family business”, and we work within the most heavily regulated industry in the country. Violating compliance issues can draw heavy penalties for both the advertiser and their agents, and because of this my husband has had to become expert in both Federal laws and in the states in which he works. His speed dial list includes Attorneys General in 32 states, and he uses it freely to protect both his clients and our business. As Internet site advertising has become more popular, many businesses in our industry have used tactics that are illegal (sometimes in all 50 states) with impunity. One of our clients recently lost a complaint against a web-based competitor that is currently doing just that. Perhaps this ruling will allow such complaints to be veiwed in a new light, or perhaps other rulings to benefit consumers will follow.
You make some interesting points that I haven’t thought of before. But many commericals on TV now have people who supposely represent the public saying wonderful things about a product. This would be a slippery slope to go down and I fear it would spread from the commerical sector into others areas—maybe even political commentary. I don’t trust government regulators as everyone has some agenda. Show be something other than pure mathematics that is totally objective.
Ron Russell´s last blog ..Dog Fighting Video and Free Speech
It doesn’t seem like a big stretch to see Uncle Sugar regulating paid bloggers then on to people like us who just blog without compensation. I don’t trust our government to do what is right; look where our current administration wants to take us and understand my distrust of them.
Pastor Ron´s last blog ..Bible Study Questions – October 7