People are set to be better protected from fake reviews and “subscription traps” under plans to tackle rip-offs.
Proposals include making it “clearly illegal” to pay someone to write or host fake reviews.
A competition watchdog will get new powers to fine firms up to 10% of their global turnover for bad business practices.
But an industry group said the new rules shouldn’t put “any further unnecessary burdens on businesses”.
The average UK household spends about £900 each year after being influenced by online reviews and spends £60 on “unwanted subscriptions”, the government said.
Under the proposed rules, there will be a new laws against offering to write and commissioning fake reviews.
Websites hosting consumer reviews will have to take reasonable steps to check they are genuine.
Reviews website Trustpilot said it “welcomes legislation introduced with the aim of protecting consumers from fake reviews”.
It said it is “continually working to ensure we are taking appropriate action against attempts to manipulate reviews on our site”.
The government also wants to bring in new rules against “subscription traps”, in which businesses make it difficult to leave a contract.
Businesses will have to give clearer information to consumers before they sign up to a subscription contract.
They will need to send a reminder that a free trial or low-cost introductory offer is coming to an end, and ensure customers can leave a contract in a “straightforward, cost-effective and timely way”, the government said.
