Singapore acts against 45 firms over bought reviews, AI testimonials included

Singapore's Competition and Consumer Commission has taken action against 45 companies that bought fake five-star reviews, its biggest crackdown on the practice so far.

The companies — including a funeral parlour, a law firm and an aesthetics clinic — bought reviews from a provider whose services included AI-generated testimonials resembling real customer experiences. About 100 companies were involved; in the first phase the 45 had to take down the reviews and publish a public apology for six months.

The enforcement details come from SCMP reporting; the commission's own announcement was not in the material, so the legal basis and later phases remain to be confirmed.