FTC Fine for Bloggers, too far or not far enough?
Yes, it’s been a long time since I have posted, but let’s get down to business.
The proposed FTC regulations which could potentially fine bloggers who take pay-offs (of one kind or another) for products they write about without disclosure, is a potentially good idea with a few flaws. I cannot say how many times I have heard of people doing so-called “research” on the Internet for products. Oftentimes, these people will read blogs as testimonials of how awesome or not awesome a certain product is and will consume that information as an unbiased opinion. Little do these consumers know that some bloggers are receiving what more-or-less amount to bribes. Even if the blogger receives something indirectly, the blogger feels obligated to give a positive review in order to continue receiving preferential treatment.
The flip side is, of course, that it restricts the freedom of bloggers to write about whatever they want. Some will no doubt cry that this restricts the first amendment. All I have to say to that is: Please. The FTC is not restricting your right to write, they are restricting your tendency to deceive.
Still, I do think that the FTC either goes too far in the fine or not far enough. First, $11,000 is too much money to fine an individual blogger. Fortunately, the FTC has stated its intention is not to go after individual bloggers or even blog networks, at least for a first-time offense. Still, we have only their word on that. Second, if the goal of the FTC is to dissuade companies from corrupting the blogosphere, $11,000 is hardly enough to do the job. Finally, the job of the FTC, as if it isn’t too spread-thin as it is, will get that much bigger. Do any of us think the commission has the resources to track down these beguiling posts?
For more info on the regs, @IanPaul, a freelance writer, has a post on PC World that does a good job summing it up.
