Fake Aussie bloggers watch out!

Union Jack
Originally uploaded by sopheava

Will Australia follow the UK's push to make it a crime for companies to misrepresent themselves as consumers in their online marketing.

According to the GAWKER online magazine, it'll be an offense in the UK to blog, use brand ambassadors or seed viral ads while "falsely representing oneself as a consumer."

From my perspective, I am all for the proposed laws. Critics may talk about free speech, but in the end blogging is about trust.

Surely, it must place Australian bloggers who are contracted to set-up fake blogs that hype UK owned products open to prosecution, fines and ultimately, gaol.

So, what of Australia? The fact is I haven't heard anything in our local press or the blogosphere.

In order to maintain the trust of consumers, we need to start a solid and sensible debate to bring in good laws that fit with the realities of the blogoshere. Rather than wait for a scandal that'll be used as a political football.

Read the GAWKER online magazine article and if, like me you agree with the UK's new laws, please write a post on the subject. Lets lead the debate!