Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5111, the Consumer Review Fairness Act of 2016. The following quote can be attributed to Engine Executive Director Evan Engstrom:
“There are countless startups that provide platforms through which individuals can share feedback and unbiased reviews of the businesses and services they rely on. These platforms are integral to the internet economy and consumers depend on them to inform their decisions on everything from where to grab drinks to which dentist to see. Protecting freedom of speech on these platforms is critical. But non-disparagement and gag clauses silence legitimate criticism, rendering these platforms less useful and harming the broader internet ecosystem. Engine welcomes the House’s passage of the Consumer Review Fairness Act, which would outlaw these gag clauses and go a long way towards protecting consumers’ right to share their thoughts and opinions freely in the digital marketplace.”
