It will be a criminal offence but probably used as a last resort for persistent offenders. I would not get too worried about it.

If someone is outside the jurisdiction and happy to avoid holidays in the UK in future they may be able to avoid the strong arm of European Justice I suppose.

Concerns in the UK have been over issues such as are “buy one get one free ” (BOGOF) offers still okay - yes they are. Being careful however to make sure what is “free” is definitely free. Issues over conduct of salesmen who go door to door -so training for staff is useful under the new regulations. A couple of companies have asked me to do some training in house on the regulations. Also viral marketing is likely to be a problem under the regulations. The Government has issued guidance and also updated its general guidance on “Price indications” so anyone interested in how this affects pricing of goods should have a look at that too.

In the last few years we have had a huge upheaval in the kind of laws that have been passed in the UK to the point that our freedom has been severely limited, I call this place ‘the country of no fun’.

While I think this law has some good attibutes, taken along with all the other new regulations we have it is quite suffocating and this is becoming a viewpoint that seems to be increasingly popular among the population.

[A good example it was reported yesterday some guy got a criminal record for having a garbage bin that was full to the point the lid didn't quite shut tight]

So for now as a web developer, I will ignore this and try to carry on as normal but know that I will keep an eye on content none the less!

Is that to imply that the British public is any more moronic than the US?

I agree the nanny state is a problem - however, Europe’s old fashioned approach is admired by many. I loved seeing the likes of Microsoft getting slapped for anti-competitive conduct, which is apparently ok in the US. This indicates there is some sense left in the European establishments - and resistance to the complete subordination to big business.

Just because the war can’t be won doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be fought.

This is unlikely to have much impact - but that’s in part because of the blurred line (between private individual, employee or marketer) and acceptance of the fact most sites are out to make a buck - often without disclosure. As with everything - it becomes a problem when it is either poorly done (as has been rife for years), and/or widespread - which has been rocketing in recent years. Some days it seems there are more people on the web to make money than actual genuine users.

It’s only because the web is such a wild frontier with so many sheisters and little accountability that it’s become a place of such low trust. Ironic that the peak of human civilisation sould come to such a free for all - whereby your privacy is invaded by big marketing companies, and viruses/trackers/popups put on your computer by companies which are public listed (or of substantial size).

We all know laws can’t really keep up with those who want to keep ahead of them. But I appreciate the effort/gesture of this - because not all users can see through the scams as well as we can. And I feel sorry and guilty for them, even though I have no involvement in anything vaguely dodgy. It’s the same with cold -calling, those that suffer or get ripped off worst are the old, the infirm or the desperate - those not informed or able to defend themselves. Back to the nanny state and socialism - I think that’s unfair and wrong and so I will happily support any action to prosecute or shame companies who get involved with taking the weaker members of society for a ride.

If you haven’t seen BBC’s ‘rogue traders’, do. It’s just the thick end of the wedge.

On the upside, I do see a bit more disclosure around these days!

Sorry for rambling on.. I feel much better with that rant off my chest.

Would love to know how on earth they are going to prove this! Another stupid, pointless law that will never be enforced, IMVHO.

I’ll keep up with my fake profiles and reviews until I get arrested for it and proved wrong I think!

Pretending to be a ‘normal’ consumer is a whole different kettle of fish and was never likely to be a long-term strategy.

But thanks again for sharing.