Today’s Current Affairs: Government to Crack Down on Fake Reviews on E-commerce Sites
The Union government is set to invoke an Indian Standards code to combat the issue of fake customer reviews and inflated ratings on e-commerce platforms. This move comes in response to the increasing number of complaints from online shoppers on the national consumer helpline. Sellers often manipulate ratings with paid reviews to boost sales, jeopardizing the credibility of shopping platforms. The new standard (IS 19000:2022) will establish specific responsibilities for reviewers and review administrators. E-commerce platforms will be required to develop a code of practice to address this issue. Globally, platforms like Amazon have been tackling fake reviews using a combination of human moderators and machine-learning tools. In India, the consumer affairs ministry has found that fake reviews particularly impact customers in the hotel, tours and travel, and food and beverages sectors. The government’s efforts to combat fake reviews aim to ensure that genuine reviews are published, enhancing transparency and trust in the e-commerce ecosystem.
## What is the purpose of the new Indian Standards code mentioned in the article?
– A. To increase sales on e-commerce platforms
– B. To tackle fake customer reviews and inflated ratings
– C. To regulate the prices of products and services
– D. To promote international trade
Answer: B. To tackle fake customer reviews and inflated ratings
## According to the article, why is it important to combat fake reviews on e-commerce sites?
– A. To increase profits for e-commerce platforms
– B. To boost consumer trust and credibility
– C. To promote competition among sellers
– D. To attract more investors to the e-commerce market
Answer: B. To boost consumer trust and credibility
## What is one of the requirements for e-commerce platforms operating in India under the new standard?
– A. Developing a social media marketing strategy
– B. Conducting weekly sales promotions
– C. Identifying the review author by specific prescribed modes
– D. Increasing the number of paid reviews
Answer: C. Identifying the review author by specific prescribed modes
## How does Amazon address the issue of fake reviews on its platform?
– A. By deleting all customer reviews
– B. By analyzing reviews with human moderators and machine-learning tools
– C. By promoting products with the highest ratings
– D. By ignoring the issue altogether
Answer: B. By analyzing reviews with human moderators and machine-learning tools
What is the new regulation being invoked by the Union government to combat fake reviews on e-commerce sites?
The Union government will invoke an Indian Standards code to tackle fake customer reviews and inflated ratings on e-commerce platforms.
How do fake reviews impact online shopping platforms according to consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare?
Fake reviews jeopardize the trustworthiness and credibility of shopping platforms and can cause consumers to make wrong purchase decisions.
What are the responsibilities prescribed by the new standard (IS 19000:2022) for reviewers and review administrators?
The new standard prescribes specific responsibilities for reviewers and the review administrator. Organizations are required to identify the review author by specific prescribed modes according to its new requirements.
What steps will e-commerce platforms operating in India have to take to combat fake reviews?
E-commerce platforms will have to develop a written code of practice, communicate it to all management and staff, and demonstrate how this document and guiding principles will be met and maintained.
How do platforms like Amazon combat the issue of fake reviews globally?
Platforms like Amazon analyze millions of reviews each week using a combination of human moderators and machine-learning tools to stop the practice of fake reviews.
According to US-based consulting firm Pattern, how does an increase of one star in a rating on Amazon correlate with sales?
An increase of one star in a rating on Amazon correlates with a 26% increase in sales, according to a recent analysis by US-based consulting firm Pattern.
Today's current affairs highlight the Union government's plan to combat fake customer reviews and inflated ratings on e-commerce platforms. With the increasing number of complaints from online shoppers, the government will invoke an Indian Standards code to address this global problem. Sellers often manipulate ratings with paid reviews to boost sales, which can mislead consumers. The new standard (IS 19000:2022) will hold reviewers and administrators accountable for their actions. E-commerce platforms in India will need to develop a code of practice to ensure transparency and trustworthiness. This initiative aims to protect consumers and maintain the credibility of online shopping platforms.
