PM says Google asked to restore tourism business ratings

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albanian authorities have asked Google to restore online ratings for hotels, guesthouses and restaurants hit by suspected fake reviews.

Rama said about 10,000 accounts were created to target tourism businesses with negative ratings and damage their reputation.

He described it as an organized attack on Albanian businesses.

State police are investigating the case as a suspected coordinated scheme against the tourism sector.

Rama said affected businesses are gradually recovering their ratings with Google’s help.

Police have said they are checking suspicious accounts, the timing of the posts and possible links between them.