What laws govern reviews and ratings for e-commerce websites?
Reviews and ratings for e-commerce websites in California are governed by a few laws. In the state of California, reviews and ratings must comply with the rules and regulations of the California Online Consumer Protection Act (CalOCPA). This law states that companies must provide clear and conspicuous disclosures about the use of ratings and reviews on their e-commerce sites, which includes informing consumers that reviews are not independently verified and that they may contain inaccurate or false information. Additionally, the law requires that companies to not make false or misleading statements about their ratings, reviews, or endorsements. The Consumer Review Fairness Act (CFRA) is another law that governs reviews and ratings for e-commerce websites. This law prohibits companies from including language in the terms and conditions of an online service that restricts or prevents a consumer from making any statement regarding their experiences with the products or services. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) requires companies to inform consumers of their right to delete any negative ratings or reviews from their website. The law also establishes that companies must delete reviews or ratings that could be harmful to consumers, including reviews that violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Finally, the California Unfair Competition Law (UCL) states that reviews that contain false or misleading advertising or deceptive practices could be considered an unfair business practice and subject to applicable fines and penalties. In conclusion, reviews and ratings for e-commerce websites in California are governed by several laws, including the CalOCPA, CFRA, CCPA, and UCL. These laws protect consumers by ensuring that companies provide clear and conspicuous disclosures about their ratings and reviews, prohibit companies from including language in their terms and conditions that restricts consumers from expressing their opinions, and prevent companies from using false or misleading advertising and deceptive practices.
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