Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Now government is messing with us bloggers

If you offer giveaways of products on your blog you better beware. Government is gettng involved. You can read about it here. In a nutshell this is what they are doing:

The Federal Trade Commission will require bloggers to clearly disclose any freebies or payments they get from companies for reviewing their products.

It is the first time since 1980 that the commission has revised its guidelines on endorsements and testimonials, and the first time the rules have covered bloggers.

But the commission stopped short today of specifying how bloggers must disclose any conflicts of interest.

The FTC said its commissioners voted, 4-0, to approve the final guidelines, which had been expected. Penalties include up to $11,000 in fines per violation.

The rules take effect Dec. 1.



I have been saying it all along- government is getting TOO big and meddling in our lives way TOO much. Don't know about you, but I am tired of it!

6 comments:

Donna said...

Me too! I have written about several products on my blog and also written about places I've visited. Of course, I don't get any compensation from these writings. But I'm wondering how I am supposed to comply with these new federal requirements and make sure that I'm not ever a target. I guess I will have to put a legal disclaimer on my sidebar and state that I receive no compensation from such entities. The feds need to stay out of our private affairs!

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding me....this is getting to be too much !!!

I pray this man is a one term Pres....I live in MASS so I am the minority in this liberal state...

Thanks for a great post

Mary from Michigan said...

We must let the government know if we get an item given to us on a blog, or a special consideration from a company we're enthused about. But Barney "the Boob" Frank, Christopher Dodd and Chuck Schumer get sweetheart deals and hundreds of thousands from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that they don't disclose even though it is their job to regulate these companies? And politicians are puzzled about why so many of us are so angry with them? They are acting like King George did in the 1700's. Every day I understand our founding fathers all the more!

Anonymous said...

Wow, they blow the money we already give them on worthless stuff, so now they want to possibly tax us on what.....maybe an extra $100 a month or less!!!
And the freebies really take the cake.

Vee said...

Yes, even I have written about this one and you know how timid I am. :D

Government is way too big for its britches, but that's just one more gal's opinion.

Great fun to get back here and see what you've been up to, Sue.

Pat said...

That's why I don't accept advertising on my blog and why I pay for my own giveaways, unless they are given to me by a friend. I didn't get anything from the 400th post giveaway, just like I don't get anything for mentions of businesses etc. What is seen at the Back Porch as far as promotion is strictly because these are places we enjoy. Not because I'm paid to promote them.
I don't have anything against advertising on blogs and I've been approached many times to put it on my blog. It's just simply not for me.
And it doesn't surprise me, this may be considered reportable income. At 66, it is quite obvious I wasn't born yesterday.:-)