Module 5 · Chapter 10

Fake Reviews, Price Rises and Fines

Reviews and price rises tempt a growing app to cut corners. This chapter shows what the law bans, how to raise a price fairly, and what the regulators can do.

≈ 7 min read 8-question test

In this chapter

  • Which review practices the law bans outright, and what Seedlark does instead
  • How to raise the monthly price with notice and a free way out
  • What the CMA and the ICO can do to an app that breaks the rules

10.1Reviews, price rises and fines in one paragraph

Customers choose an app by its reviews, so the law protects them from fake ones. A business may not buy reviews, reward them in secret or hide the bad ones. It may raise its price, but only with notice and a free way out. The CMA and the ICO can fine a business that breaks these rules.

In June an agency offered to sell Seedlark five-star reviews, and Hester had a reward of her own in mind. Both ideas were banned. In September Seedlark gave notice of its first price rise.

Key point

Seedlark may ask for reviews, but it may never buy, reward or filter them.

Also in this chapter

  1. The review practices the law bans outright
  2. Raising the price with notice and a free way out
  3. What the CMA and the ICO can do
  4. Your job

Preview

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