The Polish competition authority, UOKiK, has raised concerns about Samsung Electronics Polska's practices regarding product reviews. The authority claims that the company may mislead consumers by not adequately verifying product reviews and ratings.

According to research commissioned by UOKiK, 93% of respondents rely on online product reviews when making purchases. Therefore, it is crucial for these reviews to be credible. Businesses are required to inform consumers about how they verify reviews on their platforms, allowing consumers to make informed decisions.

UOKiK's President, Tomasz Chróstny, stated that consumers need to know whether reviews are verified to exercise caution when reading them. Samsung's method of indicating verified reviews, marked as 'Confirmed Purchase/Customer Used Product,' has come under scrutiny. UOKiK found that anyone could leave a review under this label simply by checking a box stating they used or purchased the product, without requiring any proof such as an order number or receipt.

Additionally, Samsung's use of the label 'Authentic ReviewTM bazaarvoice' may mislead consumers, as the criteria for this classification are unclear. UOKiK determined that while reviews can be rejected, they are not verified to ensure they come from actual consumers who purchased or used the product.

If UOKiK's allegations are confirmed, Samsung Electronics Polska could face a fine of up to 10% of its turnover, highlighting the importance of transparency in consumer reviews.