In Leiden, fake reviews are strictly prohibited. Local businesses and online shops must not post false ratings or have them posted. Purchasing positive reviews is considered an unfair trading practice and can lead to fines through the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM).
What exactly are fake reviews?
Fake reviews include ratings that:
- Are not from genuine customers in Leiden or elsewhere
- Are written by the company itself or its employees
- Are purchased or exchanged for rewards
- Negative feedback introduced by competitors
Why are they prohibited in the Leiden region?
These practices mislead consumers in Leiden, who often rely on reviews when shopping in the city center or online. False reviews disrupt fair competition and violate the Dutch law on unfair trading practices, potentially leading to legal action through the Rechtbank Leiden.
What is allowed in Leiden?
- Inviting customers to share an honest review after a purchase from a Leiden business
- Customer ratings where a small discount is offered, as long as this is transparently disclosed
- Reviews from influencers, provided they are clearly marked as sponsored partnerships
Obligations for platforms since 2022
Online platforms popular among Leiden residents, such as local marketplaces or national sites, must:
- Take active steps to combat fake reviews
- Communicate transparently about their review control mechanisms
- Clearly indicate which ratings are verified
How to recognize fake reviews in Leiden?
Watch for these warning signs in reviews of local stores or services:
- Extreme praise or criticism without substantiation
- Generic descriptions lacking specific details about the product or experience in Leiden
- A sudden influx of reviews over a short period
- The reviewer has only rated one item, often a local business
How to report fake reviews in Leiden?
Report suspicious fake reviews to the ACM and directly to the platform. For personal advice, you can visit Het Juridisch Loket Leiden, located in the city center, or the Gemeente Leiden for local consumer support. In serious cases, the Rechtbank Leiden may become involved.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.