The iTunes App Store is no stranger to the odd fake review but a recent case has made big news after games PR firm Reverb Communications settled a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission. It had been accused of submitting reviews for its clients apps to iTunes.
It is a not unusual to find lackluster apps on iTunes with loads of shoddy one-star ratings plus a few incongruous five-star OMG BEST GAME EVAR ratings thrown into the mix. We usually just assume the developer’s mum has managed to get an iTunes account to stick her oar in.
At least one culprit may now have been found but rather than a proud parent, it looks like a PR company was giving a helping hand to its clients.
The US Federal Trade Commission has announced that Reverb Communications settled charges of deceptive advertising which alleged it had employees post fake “independent” reviews of apps by the firm’s clients on iTunes without disclosing their identities.
Under the settlement, Reverb – whose clients have included Rock Band 3 developers Harmonix and Star Trek Online makers Cryptic Studios – must remove all existing review posts and is barred from making further endorsements without explicitly stating their relationship to their clients.
Let us know: have you spotted any suspicious reviews on the iTunes App Store? And how much attention do you pay to the ratings before you grab an app?
Out now | £varies | iTunes (via MCV/New York Times)
