London: South Korean mobile maker Samsung is facing probe by Taiwanese authorities over claims it paid students to post malicious online comments about rival phone-maker HTC.
Authorities in Taiwan said the move follows complaints that people had been instructed to write articles recommending Samsung and criticising HTC.
According to Sky News, the investigation could lead to penalties for false advertising and a potential fine of up to 550,000 pounds.
Samsung Taiwan said the Fair Trade Commission had not yet informed it of the investigation.
However, a statement on its Facebook page said it regretted "any inconvenience and confusion from the internet event".
According to the report, earlier this year, Samsung was also fined Tw300,000 dollars by the commission for a misleading advertisement about the camera functions on Samsung''s Galaxy Y Duos phone.
ANI