{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://kennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/senate-passes-bipartisan-kennedy-bill-to-protect-online-consumer-reviews", "SENATE PASSES BIPARTISAN KENNEDY BILL TO PROTECT ONLINE CONSUMER REVIEWS", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Joseph Kennedy", "K000379", "kennedy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Joe Kennedy III today applauded bipartisan passage of his Consumer Review Fairness Act by the United States Senate. Introduced with Congressman Leonard Lance (R-NJ), this legislation passed the House of Representatives earlier in September and would ensure American consumers can post honest business reviews and feedback online without fear of retribution.\u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe legislation comes in response to reports of companies using secretive \u201cnon-disparagement\u201d clauses in their terms of service to try to bar customers from posting negative reviews of a product, service or experience. Along with Kennedy and Lance, the bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), who have led legislative efforts on this issue in the past. \u00a0It is backed by online review platforms like TripAdvisor, which is based in Congressman Kennedy\u2019s district.\u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cSilencing consumers with secretive non-disparagement clauses denies their right to voice concerns with businesses or products that fail to meet expectations,\u201d said Congressman Kennedy. \u201cWith the Consumer Review Fairness Act, we can ensure customers will never face the fear of unjust retaliation by companies they visit and subsequently review. I thank Congressmen Lance, Swalwell and Issa for their partnership in addressing this issue and look forward to the President signing this bill into law.\u201d  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cConsumers in the 21st century economy should be able to post, comment and tweet their honest and accurate feedback without fear of retribution. \u00a0Too many companies are burying non-disparagement clauses in fine print and going after consumers when they post negative feedback online. \u00a0In 2016 online platforms are where consumers turn to praise or criticize their shopping, eating or traveling experiences. \u00a0They should be able to do so without harassment from companies eager to protect an image,\u201d said Congressman Lance.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe Consumer Review Fairness Act would void any non-disparagement clauses in consumer contracts if they restrict consumers from publicly reviewing products or businesses in a negative manner and would authorize the Federal Trade Commission to take action against businesses that insert these provisions into their contracts. \u00a0It also would ensure companies still are able to pursue legal action against individuals who post false and defamatory reviews.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe legislation is supported by online review platforms like TripAdvisor, Yelp and Glassdoor as well as the National Retail Federation, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, the Internet Association, Demand Progress, Engine, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Fight for the Future, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Public Knowledge, and the Public Participation Project. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\"TripAdvisor whole-heartedly applauds passage of the Consumer Review Fairness Act, led by Representatives Lance and Kennedy,\u201d said Adam Medros, Senior Vice President of Global Product at TripAdvisor. \u201cConsumer reviews have become an integral part of many Americans\u2019 purchasing decisions. \u00a0In the same way that you can tell your friends and family about a good or bad experience you had with a company or product, you also have a fundamental right to share that experience online. \u00a0While most businesses understand that such reviews offer businesses and consumers alike the ability to learn and benefit from others\u2019 experiences, a number of unscrupulous businesses have attempted to bully or intimidate their customers from sharing their negative experiences. We strongly believe that every American has \u2018the right to write\u2019 and these attempts to stifle free speech are against everything we stand for at TripAdvisor.\"  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t# # #  \n\t\u00a0  For Immediate Release:  \n\tNovember 29,\u00a02016  \n\t\u00a0  Contact:  \n\tEmily Kaufman (617) 332-3333  \n\tDan Black (202) 225-5931Follow Congressman Kennedy on\u00a0Instagram,\u00a0Facebook,\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://kennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/senate-passes-bipartisan-kennedy-bill-to-protect-online-consumer-reviews"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.080685993656516, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}