The Federal Trade Commission in the United architect data States is expanding advertising regulations to exert greater control over blogs and other online platforms, the New York Times reported .
The agency has already drawn up voluntary guidelines for digital media, which could form the basis of new regulations for the sector if it receives complaints from consumers.
The need for regulation arises from several cases of supposedly independent blogs behind which companies were found to be paying bloggers to speak well of their products. Urban Nutrition is one such company, as it was the company behind the blogs WeKnowDiets and GoogleDiets. As for the first blog, it is now clearly identified as a sponsored space. The second is no longer on the network.
The guide, which has received input from advertising self-regulatory groups such as the National Advertising Review Council and agencies, offers examples of best practices and advice for publishers who receive free products.