TripAdvisor antitrust fine: “It induces consumers in error” – TVNZ

TripAdvisor antitrust fine: "It induces consumers in error" – TVNZ

The sentence is by the Antitrust Authority, led by John Pitruzzella , which has linked reviews offers with actual business practices promoted by the site. Based on the verification conducted, initiated following complaints Federalberghi Union and national consumers, the antitrust authority has determined that TripAdvisor would “mislead a wide audience of consumers as to the nature and main characteristics of the product, altering economic behavior. ”

 

When satisfied that the investigation is not fair trading, disputed since September 2011, while on the contrary the site “emphasizes the authenticity and genuine reviews, thus inducing consumers to believe that the information is always reliable, real expression of tourist experiences. ” In the statement released emphasizes “the dissemination of misleading information.”

 

A hefty fine for the American company, which operates in 44 countries, presenting over 170 million reviews and a load equal to 280 million visitors per month. Within 90 days they will be notified of the decision of the site to implement changes to prevent the continuity of spreading misinformation.

 

Positive comments of the Director of Federalberghi, Alessandro Nucara , who said: “A person who wishes to inquire, when interrogating a site who claims to publish the opinions of other people, should have the right to know the real opinions of real people telling a true experience. Similarly, 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-added -In February 2012, the British authorities for advertising imposed in 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 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 a virtual impunity. ”

 

TripAdvisor reply: “We are reviewing the decision of the Antitrust, but a preliminary examination of the decision that we do not is reasonable, we strongly disagree with its content and we will appeal. We firmly believe that TripAdvisor represents a positive force, both for consumers and for the hospitality industry. We fight fraud with force and we have a lot of confidence in our systems and processes. From an initial examination, we believe that the conclusions of the Antitrust are unjustified and not in line with commercial reality and not only that of society ‘that deal with “user generated content” but to any company’ in any field. “