Comments on: Why the FTC Blog Monitoring is Good

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:09:04 +0000

Sebastian, you do raise a good point – and that is “how does the FTC prove the relationship?”

In reading the official version, it’s not quite clear how they’d do so. I’d say look at the tax filings, but I don’t know any bloggers who actually claim that type of income on their taxes.

Of course I’d be greatly opposed to any sort of “checks” or “investigations” that violate privacy – which it seems to me many would do.

I suppose this is just a “hey, if somebody outs you, you’re fucked” type ruling.

Either way, I’m not a fan of paid reviews – and while this law may in fact be unenforceable, I nonetheless hope it cuts down on that type of garbage.

By: yago amat

yago amat — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:06:19 +0000

I thinl that blogs content should have the same guidelines as any newspaper. There is no resposability for shouting whatever idea comes to someones head. And thw worst part is that blogs come outside free of speach, and sometimes having a place to say something without guidelines may hurt someone, may guide to buying a product (when its an influenced opinion) or even may containd difamatory informations and today there is no way to stop it.
Free speech is about ideas, not selling hurting or harrassing just for the fun, or fome hidden benefits.
I hope the FTC sets up a guideline for blogs. Then the content will improve and the garbage on the net will diminish. Not how is happening today, that is alll the way around.

Thabks

Yago amat

By: Sebastian

Sebastian — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:58:05 +0000

And how, may I ask, does the FTC determine whether a relationship exists or not if I choose to write about something? This puts a risk to any blogger who writes about a product, because it makes them subject to government investigation.

No, it’s not a good thing. It shouldn’t even be constitutional. We have a right to free speech, sorry.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:52:25 +0000

It’s usually pretty obvious to tell if a post is “sponsored” or not. This just makes it easier to see when somebody is really recommending something.

I envision it really hurting the drug / diet / weight loss industry. I dare you to find an honest diet pill review that isn’t on amazon.

By: David Colcord Anderson

David Colcord Anderson — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:08:08 +0000

And who will regulate the FTC?
The FTC did not exist until 1914.
Didn’t need ‘em in 1770s or 1860s.
Not convinced we need ‘em now.
Paid bloggers worry me less than people paid to enforce ‘truth’.
Bloggers will no longer be able to accept bribes, unlike your elected officials.
What immense power does a blogger, paid or not, hold over you compared to the federal government?
Use your mind to discern and discriminate instead of foisting the burden and cost on the public at large.