{
  "schema_version": "1.1",
  "id": "ftc-consumer-reviews-rule-16-cfr-465",
  "slug": "ftc-consumer-reviews-rule-16-cfr-465",
  "url": "https://groundedkit.com/claims/ftc-consumer-reviews-rule-16-cfr-465/",
  "api_url": "https://groundedkit.com/api/claims/ftc-consumer-reviews-rule-16-cfr-465.json",
  "claim": "The FTC's rule banning fake reviews and fake social-media influence indicators took effect Oct. 21, 2024",
  "commonly_cited_as": "\"Is buying fake reviews or followers illegal in the US?\"",
  "verdict": "verified",
  "verdict_definition": "Primary source found; it says the same thing, the scope matches, and it is reasonably current.",
  "confidence": "high",
  "rating": {
    "value": 5,
    "best": 5,
    "worst": 1
  },
  "origin": {
    "publisher": "Federal Trade Commission",
    "title": "Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials (16 CFR Part 465; 89 FR 68077, Aug. 22, 2024)",
    "year": "2024"
  },
  "quote": "§ 465.2 Fake or false consumer reviews, consumer testimonials, or celebrity testimonials. ... § 465.4 Buying positive or negative consumer reviews. § 465.5 Insider consumer reviews and consumer testimonials. ... § 465.7 Review suppression. § 465.8 Misuse of fake indicators of social media influence.",
  "method": "Regulation text (eCFR).",
  "drift": [
    "None — violations of a trade regulation rule can bring civil penalties (see the FTC civil penalty entry)"
  ],
  "interest": "n/a (federal regulator).",
  "safe_rephrasing": "Since Oct. 21, 2024, the FTC's Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule (16 CFR Part 465) prohibits fake reviews and testimonials, buying reviews, review suppression and misuse of fake social-media influence indicators.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "eCFR — 16 CFR Part 465",
      "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-465",
      "primary": true
    }
  ],
  "kind": "reference_fact",
  "as_of": "In force since Oct. 21, 2024 (eCFR timeline)",
  "last_checked": "2026-10-16",
  "stale": false,
  "date_reviewed": "2026-10-16",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0",
  "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"
}