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Bloggers that endorse products are about to be under a lot more scrutiny. The FTC today has issued new rules requiring the disclosure of financial ties between bloggers, and products/services they review. These changes are the first in nearly 30 years to redefine the relationship between reviewers and companies.
The so called “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”, say that any material connections must be fully disclosed by the blogger. This could include payments in cash or free products. The FTC made it clear that this was not a blanket decree and that possible infractions would be handled on a case by case basis.
The new rules set out a possible penalty of $11,000 per violation if a blogger should fail to disclose these financial relationships. Though, the FTC didn’t lay out specifics on how bloggers should disclose these connections. The rules take effect December 1st.
Links:
[1] http://www.maximumpc.com/user/ryan_whitwam
[2] http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Government-IT/FTC-Declares-Bloggers-Must-Disclose-Paid-Endorsements-201741/
[3] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/privacy_group_calls_ftc_kill_google_docs
[4] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/ftc_call_out_drm_upcoming_town_hall_meeting
[5] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/bloggers_are_journalists_too
[6] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/bloggers
[7] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/disclosure
[8] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/ftc
[9] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/guideline
[10] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/paid
[11] http://www.maximumpc.com/articles/news
[12] http://www.maximumpc.com/user/login?&commentfragment=comments_top_anchor