Car services company admits to posting AI-generated reviews on Sgcarmart

The owner of an automobile services company in Singapore admitted to posting AI-generated five-star reviews on car listing website Sgcarmart, according to the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS). Customers' names, vehicle registration numbers, and vehicle photographs were used in the fake reviews without their consent.

CCCS received a complaint from a customer of Lambency Detailing, a company offering car painting and detailing services, after discovering unauthorized reviews posted under her name. Further investigation revealed that seven other customers were also affected by these fake reviews.

Quantum Globe, the holding company of Lambency Detailing, confessed to submitting false reviews when confronted with evidence. The reviews were generated using ChatGPT and submitted through a QR code provided by Sgcarmart.

Posting fake customer reviews is considered an unfair trade practice by CCCS, as it can mislead consumers and influence their purchasing decisions. Quantum Globe has agreed to establish a reporting channel for customers to flag fake reviews, publish notices acknowledging the fake reviews, and remove customers' details from the reviews within eight days.

SGCM, the operator of Sgcarmart, is looking into additional verification measures to enhance the authenticity of reviews. CCCS highlighted the detrimental impact of fake reviews on consumer trust and honest businesses, emphasizing the need to combat such deceptive practices.

According to the source: The Straits Times.