Identify An Example Of Unethical Behavior In Social Media

Question

Identify an example of unethical behavior in social media. The behavior may be on the part of a celebrity, politician, or organization. Referencing content from the the aforementioned article and other credible sources (cite them!), explain: What happened Why it was unethical (cite sources) Whether it was also illegal (cite sources) Whether and how the firm made amends One way other firms/individuals can avoid making the same mistake. Unethical behavior in social media has become increasingly prevalent as digital platforms play a pivotal role in shaping public perception and corporate reputation. A notable example involves the manipulation of online reviews by a major restaurant chain to artificially inflate its ratings. The company instructed employees and affiliates to write positive reviews and dismiss negative feedback, creating a misleading image of its service quality. This behavior was exposed through investigative journalism and customer reports (1). This action was unethical because it involved deceptive practices aimed at misleading consumers into believing the restaurant had higher standards than it genuinely did. By artificially boosting reviews, the company violated principles of honesty and transparency that underpin ethical conduct in marketing and business communication (2). Consumers rely on reviews for making informed decisions; thus, faking feedback erodes trust and undermines fair competition among businesses (3). In terms of legality, the practice crossed ethical boundaries but also posed potential legal violations, such as violations of consumer protection laws and false advertising statutes. For instance, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States has regulations that prohibit deceptive endorsements and testimonials (4). When companies manipulate online reviews or endorsements deceptively, they may be subject to penalties and sanctions under these laws (5). The restaurant chain publicly apologized after the scandal was uncovered.

Dr. Jack HW Helper · Accepted Answer

Identify an example of unethical behavior in social media. The behavior may be on the part of a celebrity, politician, or organization. Referencing content from the the aforementioned article and other credible sources (cite them!), explain: What happened Why it was unethical (cite sources) Whether it was also illegal (cite sources) Whether and how the firm made amends One way other firms/individuals can avoid making the same mistake. Unethical behavior in social media has become increasingly prevalent as digital platforms play a pivotal role in shaping public perception and corporate reputation. A notable example involves the manipulation of online reviews by a major restaurant chain to artificially inflate its ratings. The company instructed employees and affiliates to write positive reviews and dismiss negative feedback, creating a misleading image of its service quality. This behavior was exposed through investigative journalism and customer reports (1). This action was unethical because it involved deceptive practices aimed at misleading consumers into believing the restaurant had higher standards than it genuinely did. By artificially boosting reviews, the company violated principles of honesty and transparency that underpin ethical conduct in marketing and business communication (2). Consumers rely on reviews for making informed decisions; thus, faking feedback erodes trust and undermines fair competition among businesses (3). In terms of legality, the practice crossed ethical boundaries but also posed potential legal violations, such as violations of consumer protection laws and false advertising statutes. For instance, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States has regulations that prohibit deceptive endorsements and testimonials (4). When companies manipulate online reviews or endorsements deceptively, they may be subject to penalties and sanctions under these laws (5). The restaurant chain publicly apologized after the scandal was uncovered.

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