FTC says bloggers must disclose payments and freebies

FTC says bloggers must disclose payments and freebies when reviewing products or risk being fined $16,000: This morning, the Federal Trade Commission published their Final Guides Governing Endorsements, Testimonials with changes that affect testimonial advertising, bloggers and celebrity endorsements. Though these are guidelines and not regulations, bloggers could face civil fines up to $16,000 and advertisers could also face fines. Interesting to note is that there are no guidelines on how to disclose relationships and this has no effect on blogs, corporations and relationships outside of the US. The new rules would apply to any transfer of value in exchange for publicity but seems very watered down in its execution. TechMeme is full of reverberations, but is there a lot to worry about for the everyday blogger? My question is, have you ever received money or gifts for your posts? Have you been offered products in exchange for writing reviews? […]