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Article: Computing: Consumer advocates battle phony Web testimonials
- Article from:
- Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
- Article date:
- August 16, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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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.
What she didn't mention is that she 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 so-called "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 told the woman in a settlement last
fall to tone down her claims and change her ...