Samsung a crescut extrem de mult in ultimii ani, atat in ceea ce priveste popularitatea, cat si in ceea ce priveste vanzarile. Modalitatile folosite pentru a genera aceasta crestere nu sunt dintre cele mai laudabile, coreenii alegand sa “imprumute” design-ul produselor Apple, sa produca spoturi publicitare in care atacau clientii companiei americane, iar in final se pare ca ar fi angajat inclusiv studenti care publicau pe diverse website-uri comentarii in care criticau HTC. Separat de comentarii, Samsung ar fi cumparat advertoriale in care erau criticate in mod mincinos produsele HTC si erau recomandate produsele Samsung tuturor celor aflati in cautarea unui smartphone nou.
Taiwanese authorities said Monday they had launched an investigation into allegations that South Korean tech giant Samsung hired students to post malicious comments about local rival HTC online. “The case was set up last week after we received complaints,” Fair Trade Commission spokesman Sun Lih-chyun told AFP. He said the probe would look into allegations that Samsung engaged in false advertising and that if the allegations were upheld, Samsung and its local advertising agent could face a fine of up to Tw$25 million ($835,000). Complaints emerged this month, with Internet users alleging that Samsung, through its local agent, had hired students to write online articles attacking HTC and recommending Samsung cellphones, the United Evening News said.
Pana la terminarea investigatiei, cei de la Samsung au decis sa sisteze promovarea online si achizitionarea de advertoriale, o miscare sigura care ii apara deocamdata. Desigur ca e putin probabil ca investigatia sa demonstreze faptul ca Samsung a angajat oameni care sa critice online produsele concurentei, insa acuzatiile de acest gen nu sunt tocmai noi si nu se rezuma doar la HTC sau Taiwan. Anul trecut in Romania neoficial existau acuzatii asemanatoare impotriva unor producatori de terminale Android si a unor magazine online, iar cine se preteaza la asemenea tactici ar trebui sa primeasca exact ceea ce ofera.
