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Samsung fined for astroturfing in Taiwan

Samsung logoSamsung has been fined $340,000 for astroturfing in public forums in Taiwan.

The Korean electronics giant was found to have used hired writers to post positive comments about the company and its products, and negative commentary about rivals.

Samsung used a third-party marketing company to post the comments, Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission has revealed.

The company paid writers to “highlight the shortcomings of competing products” and attempt to ensure the “disinfection of negative news about Samsung products.”

The brand that was subject to the negative comments was Taiwanese rival HTC, according to reports.

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