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Article: Some Web sites feel the love from their (paid) admirers.(Q)
- Article from:
- The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)
- Article date:
- August 1, 2009
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 The Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of the Dialog Corporation by Gale Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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By Jennifer Peltz
The Associated Press
NEW YORK
The Web site said an herbal remedy could cure cancer and offered miraculous firsthand accounts. One woman offered to "share my experience": The formula had routed her lymphoma, sparing her radiation treatment, she said.
The woman, Holly Bacon, owned the company selling the product she praised online, authorities said.
A growing number of regulators, trade groups and site owners are cracking down on "AstroTurf" marketing - seeding the Internet with seemingly grass roots testimonials, reviews and comments that aren't as organic as they seem.
The Federal Trade Commission ...