Is this a veiled accusation against CR? If so I’d appreciate some specifics. If not, I’ll just mention that AFAIK CR has always foregone all advertising, specifically to avoid such conflicts of interest.
Not directly, though I have some personal doubts that have zero basis in evidence.
It’s more a misplaced disappointment along the lines of “this is why we can’t have nice things” (because at a certain point money corrupts it). The number of times I’ve seen products and brands really have something special, and believe in them, and purchase and use the products, only to have them sacrifice integrity for money at some point is heartbreaking.
But that’s a me problem (and society’s problem), and not a Consumer Reports problem.