Australian consumer watchdog launches two internet sweeps

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Australian consumer watchdog launches two internet sweeps

SYDNEY -- The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ACCC launched two internet sweeps to seek out companies with misleading environmental marketing claims and fake business reviews.

The two sweeps, announced on Tuesday by the peak consumer watchdog, aim to identify deceptive advertising and marketing practices, with one focused on sustainability and the other on writing fake or misleading reviews.

The findings of the two sweeps will be published and followed up with activities to ensure industry compliance.

At least 200 companies' websites will be reviewed in the sweep for misleading environmental claims across a wide range of sectors, including energy, vehicles, household appliances, food packaging, cosmetics and clothing.

ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said this sweep will be a part of the work in actively monitoring for greenwashing in the market and will help inform what steps businesses can take to improve the integrity of their environmental claims.

Rickard said that the ACCC won't hesitate to take enforcement action if consumers are misled or deceived by green claims.

Another internet sweep will target fake or misleading online reviews and testimonials, the first of a series of smaller-scale sweeps focusing on deceptive practices in the digital marketplace.

At least 100 businesses will be reviewed for the initial sweep, targeting areas in which consumers most commonly rely on, including household appliances, electronics, fashion, beauty products, food and restaurants, travel services, sport, home improvement, kitchenware, health products, as well as furniture and bedding.

Rickard said that they looked to identify businesses, review platforms or sectors where there is a pattern of misleading online reviews and testimonials that could cause significant consumer or small business harm.

The sweeps will be followed by compliance, education and potential enforcement activities, and we want to increase awareness to enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.