The Right to Gripe: States Seek to Protect Negative Online Reviews

Statelne: Have you ever posted a negative review on a site like Yelp or TripAdvisor? It could be risky: Some businesses have inserted “gag clauses” in the fine print of service agreements barring you from doing just that. Some have even threatened legal action against complaining customers or slapped them with financial penalties.

That’s why legislatures in two states — California and Maryland — have enacted laws that prohibit such “non-disparagement” clauses in consumer contracts, and several others considered similar measures this year.

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