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This article was published on December 22, 2014 at 16:33.
The last change is the December 22, 2014 at 19:13.
The Antitrust Authority has decided to fine the online portal TripAdvisor for international business practices judged incorrect in relation to online reviews of hotels, it said in a note. TripAdvisor has therefore been asked to pay 500 thousand euro because, in publicizing its activities, “emphasizes the authenticity and genuine reviews, thus inducing consumers to believe that the information is always reliable, real expression of tourist experiences.”
The comment Tripadvisor arrive late afternoon: “We are reviewing the decision of the Antitrust, but a preliminary examination of the decision we think is reasonable, we strongly disagree with its content and we will appeal.”
The survey of the Antitrust Authority has sprung months ago by complaints Federalberghi Union and national consumers. The Authority has not verified the accuracy of the commercial practices complained from September 2011 to today by TripAdvisor Llc (incorporated in USA which owns the site management www.tripadvisor.it) and TripAdvisor Italy. With this measure – the statement – the Antitrust Authority has banned the spread and continuation of a commercial practice consisting of ‘dissemination of misleading information on the sources of the reviews, “published in the electronic database of the operators, by adopting instruments and control procedures inadequate to address the problem of false reviews.
The second commercial practices complained of the Authority led by John Pitruzzella violate Articles 20, 21 and 22 of the Consumer Code, “making it likely to mislead a wide audience of consumers as to the nature and Key features of the product and alter their economic behavior. ” Within 90 days, the two companies will have to communicate the steps taken to comply with the prohibition of further spread and continuation of unfair trade practices. TripAdvisor, judged the website of travel information among the largest in the world, offers advice through notes and reviews. TripAdvisor-branded sites regsitrano – according to estimates of the group – almost 280 million unique visitors each month and more than 170 million reviews and opinions related to more than 4 million homes, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 44 countries including China (in this case with the domain www.daodao.com). TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) includes 24 travel sites affiliates.
‘Net’ s appreciation for the decision of the Antitrust, which moves in the right direction, which aims to give additional protection to consumers and businesses, “says Alessandro Nucara, General Manager of Federalberghi.
“A person who wishes to inquire, -continues Nucara- when interrogating a site that claims to publish the opinions of other people, have the right to know the real opinions of real people telling a true experience. Similarly -according Nucara- the subject to which it relates a particular comment published in the network has the right to be protected against all forms of defamation, unfair competition and undue pressure. “
” It is not the first time that Tripadvisor is called to order by the authorities who oversee the operation of the market. -evidenzia Nucara- In February 2012, the British authorities for advertising (Advertising Standards Authority) has imposed on TA to eliminate from the description of its service expressions intended to suggest that all the reviews posted on the site are made by real travelers, are honest, real and reliable. In October 2011, the Court of Paris had sentenced Expedia, TripAdvisor and Hotels.com to pay a fine of 430 thousand euros for having implemented unfair and deceptive practices. “
” The action of Federalberghi, concluded Nucara – continue, in Italy and in Brussels, with the aim of placing more levees to bogus reviews and to amend the legislation that allows crafty anonymity of infringing the rights of others enjoying virtual impunity. “
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