Turkish Ministry of Trade regulates fake online product reviews

The Turkish Ministry of Trade has announced new regulations aimed at preventing consumer deception through fake online product reviews. Ministry Press Advisor Bekir Kaplan stated that the ministry will not permit the misleading of citizens via fraudulent digital evaluations, noting that consumer reviews play a critical role in shaping purchasing decisions.

Under the updated Regulation on Commercial Advertising and Unfair Commercial Practices, several key rules have been established. Consumer evaluations are permitted only for those who have actually purchased the relevant good or service. Furthermore, reviews must be published following necessary inspections, regardless of whether they are positive or negative. To ensure objectivity, reviews must be displayed without manipulation, using criteria such as date, rating, or seller without biased sorting.

These regulations, which include a requirement for reviews to remain published for at least one year, aim to protect economic behavior and prevent the distortion of consumer decisions. The Ministry's Advertising Board is actively conducting investigations, and sellers or providers who violate these procedures will face administrative sanctions under Law No. 6502.