Coupang fined $12.4 mn for manipulation of search algorithm

Seoul: The antitrust regulator said on Thursday it has decided to fine e-commerce giant Coupang 140 billion won ($12.44 million) for using unfair search algorithms and uploading false product reviews to boost sales of its own private-label items.

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) also referred the company, as well as one of its subsidiaries, Coupang Private Label Brands (CPLB), to the prosecution for further investigation and ordered them to take corrective measures. Coupang has used deceptive algorithms to give greater exposure to its private-label products on its platform than those of other suppliers from February 2019 up to the present date, reports Yonhap news agency.