FTC Moves To Regulate Bloggers (He writes, looking over his shoulder…)
A few months ago, I wrote a column calling the Federal Trade Commission’s attempts to regulate blogging a mistake:
“I have no doubt the folks at the Federal Trade Commission have all the best intentions when it comes setting out disclosure guidelines for bloggers in order to protect consumers. But it’s an effort that’s doomed from the start.”
I can’t link to the column because it’s behind our paywall. But I figured no good would come of it.
Well, I didn’t expect the FTC to listen to me, and they didn’t let me down. On Monday, the FTC released new rules to regulate product endorsements in advertisements and blogs.
I could offer up an extended rant on this, but I’ll just point you to Jeff Jarvis’ stinging rebuke instead. Jarvis writes:
“It is a monument to unintended consequence, hidden dangers, and dangerous assumptions.”
And:
“The regulations raise no end of questions. For example: How much do I have disclose? Before I say anything nice about anyone, do I need to list every advertiser I’ve ever had? Every possible business relationship? You think my disclosures are comical now, just wait.”
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