Samsung is in the news again, the controversial side of it. Taiwanese authorities are investigating Samsung over allegations that it used dirty advertisement tactics against HTC. Samsung is accused of hiring students to post malicious comments about HTC online. The Fair Trade Commission spokesman said that this case was set up last week after they had received complaints. If Samsung is found guilty of indulging in such practices, it and its local advertising agent could face a fine of up to Tw$25 million or approximately US$835,000.
The students were hired by Samsung’s local advertising agency to write malicious articles against HTC online and to recommend Samsung’s products over its rival’s. Samsung Taiwan’s Facebook page was update with a statement saying that the company regretted any inconvenience and confusion caused by this incident. It also said that Samsung Taiwan has stopped all internet marketing, which includes posting of anonymous comments. It’s not like HTC is a substantial threat for Samsung at this stage, the latter held 30.3% of the global smartphone market as opposed to the former’s hold of 4.3%. Lets see what the investigation turns up.