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UK CMA probes JustEat, Autotrader and three other firms over fake reviews
The Competition and Markets Authority has opened probes into five firms over suspected fake reviews, stressing investigations are ongoing while new fining powers aim to strengthen enforcement.
Mar 27th 2026 ยท United Kingdom
Insights
- The Competition and Markets Authority is investigating five companies, including JustEat and Autotrader.
- The CMA said it has not reached any conclusion on whether consumer law has been broken.
- Since April last year the CMA can fine firms for breaching consumer law without needing to go through the courts.
- Research firm TruthEngine estimated about 50% of online reviews are fake.
- In 2024 criminals extorted a small UK restaurant chain by threatening to post fake one-star reviews unless paid.
- Consumer group Which? called for strict enforcement, and Amazon and Google agreed to make process changes in January 2025 rather than face formal rulings.