Why we gave Meta a Shoddy award - Which?

We are naming and shaming the companies behind the year’s biggest consumer letdowns in our annual Shoddy Awards, and challenging them to do better by their customers. Internal documents leaked to Reuters news agency at the end of 2025 showed that Meta estimated it makes $7bn from scam ads each year. In 2024, it predicted that 10% of its revenue would come from scam ads. Users are exposed to an estimated 15bn high-risk scams every single day. Yet, while these harmful ads remain active, Meta recently suspended our very own ‘Which? Scam Action and Alerts’ Facebook group. Meta claims these documents present a ‘selective view’ of its approach to scams, but they declined to provide updated figures. We believe consumers deserve better. 12 other companies have also earned one of our Shoddy Awards this year.

Is dishwashing or handwashing better? - Which?

Dishwashers or handwashing: what do you think uses up more water? Which? put both cleaning methods to the test to find out what’s really more efficient for your time, your energy bill and the environment, as well as what items you shouldn’t be putting into the dishwasher.

Shocking unhealthiest UK crisps - Which?

We are a nation of crisps lovers! From lentil chips to veggie straws and plant-based snacks, plenty of options now look like the healthier choice But are they actually better for you? We analysed 66 popular crisps and savoury snacks using the government’s nutrient profiling model to see which ones pass as healthier options and which fall short.

Disabled shoppers speak out: The truth about online returns and deliveries - Which?

Nearly 16 million people in the UK live with a disability, that’s almost a quarter of the population. For many, online shopping isn't just a matter of convenience; it's an essential lifeline. However, our latest investigation reveals that major online retailers are leaving disabled shoppers behind with inaccessible return processes, unfair postage charges and ignored delivery instructions. In this episode, Erica McKoy chats with Which? Consumer Rights Editor Lauren Deitz and Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) lead researcher Charlotte Aspland break down our mystery shopping investigation into six top UK retailers: ASOS, Next, JD Sports, Zara, Sports Direct, and H&M. We also speak with mystery shoppers Hazel and Andrew, who share their first-hand experiences navigating physical barriers and strict return policies. Learn about your legal rights under the Equality Act, what "Reasonable Adjustments" retailers are required to make and what steps major brands and delivery services must take to create an equal playing field. 00:00 - Introduction: The online shopping accessibility gap 00:31 - Which? Investigation: Testing 6 major UK online retailers 00:53 - How the RiDC mystery shopping study was conducted 01:34 - What is disability? The social model explained 02:07 - Hazel’s Story: Inaccessible returns and losing independence 03:29 - The High Street barrier: Why online shopping is essential 03:45 - Andrew’s Story: Return postage costs and delivery challenges 05:09 - What disabled shoppers want: Transparency & clear expectations 05:49 - The Purple Pound: The £446B market businesses are missing 06:21 - The Findings: Unfollowed instructions and return headaches 06:54 - Consumer Rights: Equality Act & Reasonable Adjustments 07:43 - Final Thoughts: Demanding equal access for disabled shoppers 08:15 - Retailer Responses: Evri, JD Sports, Royal Mail, and Zara Subscribe to make sure you never miss out on our reviews and advice: http://bit.ly/JoinWhichOnYouTube Looking for the latest product reviews and advice? You're in the right place. Which? has been championing the cause for consumers since 1957, asking probing questions of businesses and manufacturers, and pursuing the answers that put you in the driving seat. Reviews You Can Trust Which? has more than 1.3m members and supporters, making us the largest independent consumer body in the UK. Our commitment to providing unbiased advice to consumers is at the heart of everything we do. So from choosing a TV, mobile phone, new car, or holiday, to managing your personal financial needs, we’re always on your side. Completely Independent The unique thing about Which? is that we are completely independent. This means we work entirely on behalf of you – so you can rest assured that you're getting the very best advice available. Which? works for you reviewing products and services, so that you make the best purchase decisions for your needs. While all our public-facing work takes place under the Which? brand, technically it's carried out by a number of different legal entities. See the About Us page for more detail https://ift.tt/hGc5IS9 For more expert advice visit: https://www.which.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/whichuk Join the discussion on Facebook: https://ift.tt/I0YEUTd

The viral kid's toy product recall - Which?

These squishy dumpling toys might look cute, but they could pose a serious safety risk Some imitation versions have failed UK toy safety checks, with concerns including hazardous chemicals, strong chemical smells and water beads inside some products A recalled Squeezy Dumpling toy was found to contain excess benzene, which can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat If you’re buying one, check for clear safety instructions, a CE or UKCA mark, and the name and address of a UK-based responsible person

Never ignore this sun cream symbol - Which?

That bottle from the back of the cupboard? It might not have your back anymore This little symbol tells you when it’s time to replace your sun cream Did you know suncream has acne expiry date?

The dodgy sellers and bogus products ripping you off - Which?

In this episode, Erica McKoy sits down with Which? retail expert Hannah Walsh to discuss the rise of bogus boutiques. We share how these sites operate using drop-shipping to sell consumers items which are poor quality. When the item arrives and isn’t what is expected, the consumer then has the cumbersome task of returning the item and paying return fees. Learn how to spot dodgy sites like these, so you can protect yourself from deceptive businesses. 00:00 - Introduction: Are all online "family businesses" legitimate? 00:54 - Case Study: The fake linen blouse ad and emotional hooks 02:37 - Trustpilot horror stories: The "Sylvia and Grace" example 03:25 - The high-cost returns trap (The £26.99 shipping surprise) 04:22 - Product Reality Check: Fake linen, loose threads, and uneven cuts 05:13 - Expectations vs Reality: The printed knit pattern cardigan 05:46 - What is drop-shipping? 07:01 - Consumer Toolkit: How to use a reverse image search to catch bogus shops out 08:15 - Finding the same cheap items on AliExpress and Temu 10:43 - Urgent pressure tactics: Fake countdown clocks and endless sales 11:21 - Spotting completely fabricated review sections and 5-star ratings 13:46 - Online Safety Act: Can new legislation stop the ads? 14:38 - Summary Checklist: How to run website checks using AI tools 15:37 - Pause and think: Resisting social media sales pressure 16:21 - What to do if you’ve been caught out. #onlineshopping #fraudprevention #consumerrights #socialmedia #goingoutofbusiness #liquidation #dropshipping #cybersecurity #shoppingadvice

70% of people can't spot this deepfake video - Which?

Our new investigation put the general public to the test to see whether they could identify deepfake videos and found that, more often than not, people cannot reliably spot AI fakery. When asked to spot the deepfakes from a selection of real and fake videos, 70% failed to correctly identify all of the videos shown to them. Can you spot them all in this video?

Can you challenge your council tax band? - Which?

Our Which? survey found that more than half (54%) of people who challenged their council tax band successfully got it lowered. And that's not all 👇 💷 34% received a rebate 🏠 36% got up to a year's worth of council tax payments back ⏳ 11% received refunds covering more than 10 years 💰 Nearly 20% got up to £500 back 🎉 2% received more than £8,000 That said, challenging your band doesn't always result in a change, with 38% seeing no difference. Have you ever checked whether your council tax band is correct?

Can someone sue you for an online review? - Which?

If you've had a terrible experience with a company, you're more than entitled to leave a bad review. But before you hit publish, here are three top tips from our consumer rights lawyer Lisa Webb to make your reviews defamation-proof: 1️⃣ Keep all evidence of your experiences and interactions with the company, including screenshots and purchase confirmations. 2️⃣ Avoid using sensationalised or emotive language; just stick to the facts and to the point. 3️⃣ Don’t include any personal information associated with the company, such as staff names, phone numbers or email addresses.

Does going to bed earlier help you sleep better? - Which?

The secret to getting more sleep isn’t just about going to bed earlier – in fact, that could actually make things worse, says Kathryn Pinkham, founder of The Insomniac Clinic. She joined us on a recent episode of our Healthy Living podcast to share her expert tips for getting a better night’s rest.

Can eating more fibre make you look younger? - Which?

Getting enough fibre in your diet can do more than just support your digestive and wider health; it could also benefit how healthy your skin looks. It’s been established for many years that adequate fibre intake is important for good heart health and digestion, but new research suggests that the ‘gut-skin axis’ can affect the visible signs of ageing – and that a high-fibre diet might slow those signs down. If you found this interesting, you might like our Healthy Living newsletter. It’s free each month and packed with tips to help you eat well, live better and stay healthy.

The truth about ANPR parking cameras - Which?

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are increasingly used in car parks, petrol stations and on the roads more generally to monitor wrongdoing. But these cameras aren't always reliable. Even at an estimated accuracy rate of around 97%, that's more than two million inaccurate reads per day, and these inaccurate reads all too often result in unfair Parking Charge Notices (PCNs), debt-collection threats and customer service headaches for innocent motorists. From 'double dipping' to numberplate fraud, Which? examines the pitfalls of ANPR technology and how to fight an unfair PCN. Subscribe to make sure you never miss out on our reviews and advice: http://bit.ly/JoinWhichOnYouTube Looking for the latest product reviews and advice? You're in the right place. Which? has been championing the cause for consumers since 1957, asking probing questions of businesses and manufacturers, and pursuing the answers that put you in the driving seat. Reviews You Can Trust Which? has more than 1.3m members and supporters, making us the largest independent consumer body in the UK. Our commitment to providing unbiased advice to consumers is at the heart of everything we do. So from choosing a TV, mobile phone, new car, or holiday, to managing your personal financial needs, we’re always on your side. Completely Independent The unique thing about Which? is that we are completely independent. This means we work entirely on behalf of you – so you can rest assured that you're getting the very best advice available. Which? works for you reviewing products and services, so that you make the best purchase decisions for your needs. While all our public-facing work takes place under the Which? brand, technically it's carried out by a number of different legal entities. See the About Us page for more detail https://ift.tt/ZW8srRA For more expert advice visit: https://www.which.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/whichuk Join the discussion on Facebook: https://ift.tt/ES0AQjo

New asbestos recall alert - Which?

🚨 NEW ASBESTOS RECALL ALERT 🚨 Our testing has uncovered two more children's sand toys containing asbestos. Even more alarming: one of these toys was recalled by the OPSS in March, yet we found it still on sale two months later. This isn't an isolated incident. Time and again, our investigations have exposed unsafe products being sold through online marketplaces. If we can find them, these platforms can too. The government has proposed new duties for online marketplaces, but proposals aren't enough. Ministers must now introduce strong, enforceable laws that make platforms responsible for preventing dangerous products from reaching consumers. Every delay means more families are put at risk. #childsafety #safetyalert #asbestos #kidstoys #parents

The truth about weight loss jabs - Which?

We sit down with senior investigative researcher Sara Spary to uncover the truth behind the UK's massive online weight loss jab market. With over 1.6 million people now using these injections, Which? investigated whether online pharmacies are prescribing medications like Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro responsibly. We reveal how easy it is to bypass safety checks by falsifying medical data, we look into the murky world of "off-label" prescribing and address the heavy marketing tactics flooding social media algorithms. We also discuss the side effects from muscle loss to more serious medical risks and the intense social stigma causing many users to hide their journey from loved ones. 00:00 - The rise of GLP-1s, Ozempic, and celebrity weight loss 01:15 - NHS vs Private: Why an online booming market has appeared 02:45 - How do weight loss jabs actually work in the body? 03:30 - The 2024 Which? Investigation: Bypassing safety checks online 05:10 - Loopholes in pharmacy regulations 06:50 - What is "Off-Label" prescribing and is it safe? 09:15 - The stigma of weight loss injections: Deborah’s story 10:40 - Common gastro side effects and the serious medical risks 11:55 - The aggressive online marketing & discount code trap 13:50 - Future medical breakthroughs: Addiction and heart health 15:10 - How the food industry and high street are reacting 16:35 - The danger of severe muscle loss 18:10 - Coming off the jab 19:40 - Consumer advice: How to spot dangerous fake online pharmacies #weightloss #wegovy #mounjaro #ozempic #health #diet #investigation #pharmacy #safety #sideeffects #fitness #whichinvestigates #which #consumersrights #womenshealth #menshealth

What are the UK Government doing about rising ticket prices? - Which?

We sit down with Kate Dearden MP, Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection, to ask what Kier Starmer's Labour government is doing to protect you, before a debrief with our Head of Consumer Rights and Food Policy, Sue Davies. With World Cup ticket prices in the headlines we ask when action will be taken to tackle expensive tickets here in the UK, while we also ask why dangerous and illegal products are still for sale on online marketplaces despite laws being in place to stop this happening. Kate also addresses 'subscription traps' and a new crackdown on subscription traps for things like recipe boxes and streaming sites forcing them become more transparent and easier to cancel. We unpack all of this with Sue Davies, who breaks down what this could mean for UK consumers, as well as what the future may hold. At Which, we have campaigned for tighter controls to prevent fake reviews online - we ask what action we can expect to be taken? As well as asking why consumers are still being let down through rip-off and often misleading pricing practices. 01.00 - Concerns around 'deregulation' which could harm consumers 01.56 - Dangerous and illegal products for sale on online marketplaces 04.20 - Tradesperson injured by dangerous ladder 06.25 - 'Subscription traps' and why it will soon be easier to cancel 10.36 - Why 'drip-pricing' lead to confusing and unfair prices 11.35 - When will the government act on fake reviews and restore trust for consumers 13.40 - Will the government be able to commit to action? 14.20 - Ticket prices and why ticket touts are damaging the live music industry 16.20 - Why wasn't legislation announced in the King's speech? 17.17 - We ask what the government hope to achieve by May 2027 19:30 - Understanding the link between consumer protection and growth 21:00 - What we can expect from the consumer action plan 22:30 - Which?’s work on subscription traps 24:09 - Could we see a decrease in drip pricing and fake reviews? 27:04 - What could we expect from the online marketplace consultation? 28:32 - Why the pace of change can be frustrating 32:00 - The future of ticket touts 36:19 - What would we like to be celebrating for consumers in a year’s time? #ticket #ticketprices #netflix #food #fake #fakereviews #food #illegal #injured #government #kierstarmer #dangerous

Why the government will make it easier to cancel your Netflix - Which?

We sit down with Kate Dearden MP, Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection, to ask what Kier Starmer's Labour government is doing to protect you. With World Cup ticket prices in the headlines we ask when action will be taken to tackle expensive tickets here in the UK, while we also ask why dangerous and illegal products are still for sale on online marketplaces despite laws being in place to stop this happening. She also addresses 'subscription traps' and a new crackdown on subscription traps for things like recipe boxes and streaming sites forcing them become more transparent and easier to cancel. At Which, we have campaigned for tighter controls to prevent fake reviews online - we ask what action we can expect to be taken? As well as asking why consumers are still being let down through rip-off and often misleading pricing practices. 01.00 - Concerns around 'deregulation' which could harm consumers 01.56 - Dangerous and illegal products for sale on online marketplaces 04.20 - Tradesperson injured by dangerous ladder 06.25 - 'Subscription traps' and why it will soon be easier to cancel 10.36 - Why 'drip-pricing' lead to confusing and unfair prices 11.35 - When will the government act on fake reviews and restore trust for consumers 13.40 - Will the government be able to commit to action? 14.20 - Ticket prices and why ticket touts are damaging the live music industry 16.20 - Why wasn't legislation announced in the King's speech? 17.17 - We ask what the government hope to acheive by May 2027 #ticket #ticketprices #netflix #food #fake #fakereviews #food #illegal #injured #government #kierstarmer #dangerous

4 ways Meta snoops on your Instagram - Which?

Instagram privacy settings are worth checking before you keep scrolling. Meta can use your activity to build a profile of your interests, shopping habits and browsing data. It can also use your public posts to help train AI. The steps in this video show you how to take back a bit more control.

The fastest way to chill a beer - Which?

We think you might need this one today… We tested eight ways to chill drinks fast, and the quickest was simple: ice, water and salt. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, creating an icy slush that can drop below 0°C and cool drinks faster. Handy when the fridge is full, the freezer is packed and everyone’s already asking where the cold drinks are.

The most overrated wellness hacks - Which?

Health experts tell us the most overrated sleep, skin and nutrition hacks.