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Trashing a Hotel on TripAdvisor May Soon Be Protected, Thanks to U.S. Congress

Dennis Schaal photo
Dennis Schaal

Photo Caption: Consumer and user-generated reviews on TripAdvisor. A new law seeks to bar business contracts that would prohibit customers from writing negative reviews. 

Skift Take

Let's be clear: Not all hotel guests and review-writers are angels. But the solution is not dodgy hotel contracts and taking punitive actions against customers. Business owners, as well as consumers, should remember the wisdom of the crowds is pretty good at protecting from one-sided and impure reviewers.

Some hotels and other businesses have come up with a sneaky way to discourage unfavorable guest or customer reviews -- prohibit them in the fine print of their terms and conditions. The U.S. House of Representatives took a major step Monday to bar such punitive actions by businesses. The House approved in a voice vote, indicating bipartisan support, the Consumer Review Fairness Act. The bill would prohibit businesses from issuing standard contracts to customers barring them from writing derogatory reviews, including publishing what the businesses might consider to be disparaging photos. The

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