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Samsung fined for astroturfing against HTC

Maker of all things but especially smartphones, Samsung, has been fined 10 million Taiwanese dollars (R3.4 million) for paying online commentators to write negative stories about rival HTC. The case was brought against the Korean giant back in April, when TaiwanSamsungLeaks found evidence that students were being employed by the company to write stories complaining about technical difficulties with HTC’s phones.

The fine, which was issued today, is chicken feed for Samsung, which posted a record R95bn in profits in the last three months. HTC, on the other hand, is reducing the number of phones that roll out of its factories and is watching its share price plummet.

Many people are asking why on Earth Samsung would bother taking shots at the already floundering HTC, but it’s not the first time this sort of accusation has been levelled against the firm. Dirty tricks or the same steely determination that has seen Samsung triumph over competitors like Apple to control 30% of the world smartphone market, and up to 60% of the same in Africa.

(Via Quartz)

* After an office poll, it appears the headline needs some explaining. Astroturfing is the act of paying for new stories, opinion and comment without making it clear that the commenter is a shill. We wouldn’t like to speculate on the idea that the Taiwanese Fair Trade Commission might well have a field day in South Africa. Honest.

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