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Amazon lawsuit overview:
- Who: Amazon has filed a lawsuit against the owners and operators of NiceDiscount.net.
- Why: NiceDiscount.net allegedly pays individuals to leave fake Amazon reviews in violation of Amazon’s policies and prohibitions against fake reviews.
- Where: The Amazon lawsuit was filed in King County, Washington, Superior Court.
Amazon has filed a lawsuit against NiceDiscount.net, alleging the website pays individuals to leave fake reviews that do not reflect the true quality of Amazon’s products.
Amazon claims the owners and operators of NiceDiscount.net facilitated fake feedback and reviews through product refunds and payments. NiceDiscount allegedly encouraged reviewers to leave fake positive reviews on bad actors’ product listings, potentially misleading consumers about the quality of the goods and services.
“Incentivized reviews and feedback that are not identified as such are inherently false and misleading because they are motivated by compensation, withhold that key information from customers, and therefore are likely to mislead customers into believing they are from unbiased and independent customers,” the Amazon lawsuit explains.
NiceDiscount reportedly touted its service as a way for individuals to receive discounted products or payments for leaving fake Amazon reviews. Amazon says it investigated the situation and discovered NiceDiscount only promised cash back to reviewers if they left positive ratings, reviews and feedback.
If a reviewer left a negative review, NiceDiscount allegedly withheld payment and encouraged the reviewer to change their Amazon reviews to include positive feedback.
The Amazon lawsuit alleges NiceDiscount instructed reviewers to create reviews that appeared authentic in order to evade Amazon’s detection of fake reviews. The website operators allegedly provided examples of authentic-appearing feedback that reviewers could use when writing their positive Amazon reviews.
Amazon lawsuit says NiceDiscount knew fake reviews violated policies, would erode customer trust
NiceDiscount knew the effect of incentivizing fake Amazon reviews and other fake content would artificially inflate the bad actors’ seller feedback ratings, ultimately eroding customers’ trust in Amazon’s stores, the Amazon lawsuit says.
Amazon explains it encourages customers to share authentic reviews and opinions about positive, and that it does not remove negative or critical reviews.
“Honest and unbiased reviews and content allow customers to trust that they can shop with confidence in Amazon’s stores, and they also help fulfill Amazon’s mission to be the Earth’s most customer-centric company,” the Amazon lawsuit states.
By incentivizing fake Amazon reviews, NiceDiscount has effectively eroded customer trust and is harming Amazon’s reputation with customers, Amazon says.
The website operators also allegedly knew that Amazon has contractual policies and prohibitions against fake reviews, feedback and content and therefore knew that incentivizing fake Amazon reviews was a violation of their contract with Amazon.
The Amazon lawsuit asserts claims for violations of the Washington Consumer Protection Act, intentional interference with contractual relations and unjust enrichment/restitution.
Amazon recently agreed to settle two data privacy lawsuits with federal regulators over concerns the tech giant’s Alexa and Ring services illegally violated children’s privacy rights.
Do you think you have been duped by fake positive Amazon reviews? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
Amazon is represented by Scott Commerson and Eric Franz of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP.
The Amazon lawsuit is Amazon.com Inc., et al. v. Does 1-5 d/b/a Nicediscount.net, Case No. 23-2-10603-2 SEA, in the King County Superior Court of Washington.
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43 thoughts onAmazon files lawsuit claiming website pays people to leave fake reviews
I will never rely on the fraudulent reviews again