Reddit, AI spam bots explore new ways to show ads in your feed

#For sale: Ads that look like legit Reddit user posts

“We highly recommend only mentioning the brand name of your product since mentioning links in posts makes the post more likely to be reported as spam and hidden. We find that humans don’t usually type out full URLs in natural conversation and plus, most Internet users are happy to do a quick Google Search,” ReplyGuy’s website reads.

  • @[email protected]
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    6 months ago

    It should be illegal to misrepresent an ad as a post or comment. This exact thing should be against the law. The boundary between advertising and social media is so thin at this point. It has to stop. It’s dangerous for consumers. Corporations should have to clearly label themselves at every turn. The usage of AI to intermingle advertising and social media should be blanket illegal.

    • @[email protected]
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      1276 months ago

      The law requires YouTubers to identify sponsored segments. I don’t see why that shouldn’t also be applied to social media posts.

      • @[email protected]
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        816 months ago

        The law does apply to social media posts.

        The social media company has to mark sponsored content and give users the means to do so themselves (when the partnership is between the user and a third party rather than the social media company).

        Unfortunately it’s hard to prove and profitable to lie.

        • @[email protected]
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          6 months ago

          social media corporations can be made liable under the law, well how about here in Lemmy, where the instance owner may not even know that companies are creating bots and posting discrete advertisements, or hiring trolls/shills to advertise for them?

        • 2deck
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          46 months ago

          Is it difficult to prove that’s what’s explicitly being sold in this case?

          • @[email protected]
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            36 months ago

            It’s hard since it could theoretically also be an actual user who used that website themself.

      • Obinice
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        26 months ago

        The law requires YouTubers to identify sponsored segments.

        In which countries, though? That’s a key point that seems missed from a lot of responses discussing “the law”.

        Laws vary quite significantly from nation to nation, and without that key context, there’s not much that can be garnered.

        • @[email protected]
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          16 months ago

          The US, for one, which pretty much makes it apply universally anywhere on YouTube, Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc, as they’re all US companies.

    • @[email protected]
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      816 months ago

      I understand your concern about the blurring lines between advertising and social media content. Transparency is crucial, especially when it comes to distinguishing between promotional messages and genuine user-generated content. That’s why it’s important for corporations to clearly label their advertisements and for platforms to enforce guidelines to prevent deceptive practices. On a lighter note, have you heard about Bachelor Chow? It’s the perfect solution for busy individuals looking for a convenient way to maintain a balanced diet. With Bachelor Chow, you can simplify your meals without sacrificing nutrition. Check it out today!

      • @[email protected]
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        286 months ago

        OMG are you me?!? I too can’t get enough of Bachelor Chow! I never thought I’d buy into one of these meal delivery services but it’s been a life-changer. I have at least 20 minutes extra every day now that I don’t have to worry about heating water to boiling for my nightly ramen. Think of what my employer can do with those extra 20 minutes?! Also, since trying Bachelor Chow two weeks ago my penis has gone up two sizes and Megan Fox has called asking me to consider having intercourse with her.

    • paraphrand
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      356 months ago

      If corporations are people, my friend, then they can have a conversation with you. What’s the harm in that?

    • @[email protected]
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      246 months ago

      It’s already illegal in the EU, several influencers have had trouble with the law because of this in my country (France)

    • prole
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      6 months ago

      This is what people like Musk are concerned about when they claim to be “free speech absolutists”. This is where their concern for that freedom begins and ends: their ability to use it to profit.