Online buyers are still exposed to unsafe goods on Facebook due to fake reviews, a study by the Consumers' Association Which? Brand indicated. The report found that there are still hundreds of groups hiring writers to create fake reviews.
According to The Guardian, Which? researchers investigated the trend of fake reviews and found on a particular day that there were 3,511 posts related to fake views uploaded within just a day.
Results of the study came a month after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ordered both eBay and Facebook to look into what could be a thriving marketplace for fake product reviews on the platforms.
According to Which? there are still maybe hundreds of groups enticing writers to create fake reviews by providing incentives. The consumer group's head of products and services unit, Natalie Hitchins, said the findings point to Facebook's failure in keeping control of reviews that could mislead consumers.
"It is deeply concerning that the company continues to leave customers exposed to poor quality or unsafe products boosted by misleading and disingenuous reviews," Hitchkins pointed out.
Hitchkins went on to urge Facebook to take the appropriate steps in ensuring that the groups circulating fake reviews are controlled and shut down so consumers' interests will be protected.
In a statement, Facebook said it has taken down nine of the 10 groups Which? pinpointed in their findings. The spokesperson further explained that it restricts people from using the platform to spread falsified reviews.
"We continue to improve our tools to prevent this kind of abuse," the spokesperson added. However, some industry experts are still concerned about the extent of the marketplace for fake reviews that is on the platform.
Fake reviews are just an aspect of the multiple issues that Facebook is embroiled in. The social media giant continues to face scrutiny from global regulators and lawmakers for its Calibra project.
The Calibra project is faced with queries from British, American, and European regulators, Engadget reported. The project is expected to bring forth Facebook's first cryptocurrency dubbed as Libra.
However, it appears that Libra may not see the light of day as privacy groups continue to urge governments and regulators to stop the digital currency from infiltrating the market.
Officials from the U.K., U.S., and Europe reportedly said in a joint statement that the company has "not met [regulators'] expectation" regarding privacy in the past, which is why questions continue to be raised regarding the Libra currency.
It remains to be seen how Facebook will address the new inquiries from the joint group of regulators. Calibra head David Marcus previously faced the U.S. Senate to provide details about Facebook's proposed digital money.
