Bloggers now regulated? Whoda thunkit

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

Sounds fair, good for the public, but who’s going to tell the many thousands of bloggers? And does it cover every private web page? What about recommendations made at a forum like this one?

I guess it will be done like the illegal pirating restrictions, not enforced until some rich corporation decides to pressure enforcement for some slight.

most of us decent bloggers already do disclose that information.

Heh! The FTC can barely muster sufficient resources to handle their current responsibilities. Paper tiger, anyone?

That’s what people in all industries say when they don’t like regulation: “It’s unnecessary, we self-regulate”. Then why resist pulling those rouges into the fold? There should be some way to punish people who tout stocks or racehorses or hit songs for payola.