> I think consumers should start to learn to think for themselves and stop relying on the state, bans and fines.
An idealist viewpoint, and perhaps a correct one. But in practice I support government rules against intentional misleading of audiences for the same reason I support government rules against lying about ingredients in food.
Okay, lying about what's inside a can of food is nothing short of fraud, that is, not fulfilling your contractual obligation to the buyer properly, even worse if it's intentionally. I don't want to abolish contracts, that would be ridiculous.
However, what goes on between a game company and PewDiePie, in monetary but also in other terms, is their private matter. I don't see a reason why it should be illegal to pay PewDiePie to be enthusiastic about the game when it's actually garbage. No contract was violated here. PewDiePie is not an authority on this game and what he says matters not for any purchase contract. So people who are mislead by him are fools themselves for relying on random internet stuff.
An idealist viewpoint, and perhaps a correct one. But in practice I support government rules against intentional misleading of audiences for the same reason I support government rules against lying about ingredients in food.