Lawmakers Propose Consumer Review Freedom Legislation

Earlier this month, a class action lawsuit against Yelp was thrown out when the plaintiffs failed to prove that Yelp’s manipulation of reviews amounted to extortion. That issue remains at large, but lawmakers are working to make sure users are able to leave negative reviews without fear of retaliation from businesses.

The bill, titled the Consumer Review Freedom Act [PDF], would invalidate any contract that “prohibits or restricts the ability of a person who is a party to the form contract to engage in a covered communication,” or imposes any fee that acts as retribution against that covered communication.

Essentially, users have the right to free speech when it comes to leaving negative reviews online.