The CMA last summer highlighted concerns that there was a 'thriving marketplace ' for fake and misleading online reviews.

Axar.az reports citing Sky News that Facebook and eBay have taken action to combat the trade in fake and misleading online reviews after pressure from the UK competition watchdog.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Facebook had removed 188 groups and disabled 24 user accounts and eBay has permanently banned 140 users.

It added that both companies had pledged to put in place measures that will help prevent further such content appearing.

Facebook has also committed to investigating after the watchdog found further examples of fake reviews for sale via Facebook's Instagram platform, the watchdog added.

The action announced on Wednesday was in response to the CMA highlighting concerns in the summer that there was a "thriving marketplace" for such reviews.