United States of America: Federal Trade Commission warned 10 unnamed companies against potential violations of Consumer Review Rule

On 22 December 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned 10 unnamed companies against potential violations of Consumer Review Rule. The FTC staff issued warning letters reminding them of their obligations under the rule. The Consumer Review Rule prohibits deceptive or unfair practices related to product reviews in advertising and marketing. Specifically, it disallows misrepresenting a reviewer's experience, conditioning compensation on a particular sentiment, or failing to disclose reviews from company insiders or their immediate relatives. The rule also addresses suppressing certain reviews, misusing social media influence indicators, and prohibits company-controlled review websites from presenting a misleading impression of reviews. Violations of this rule can lead to federal lawsuits, other legal actions, and civil penalties of up to USD 53'088 per violation. The FTC's initiative aims to ensure consumers can make informed choices based on accurate online reviews.