The Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA) protects consumers’ ability to share their honest opinions about a business’s products, services, or conduct, in any forum, including social media. For example, businesses must comply with the CRFA when attempting to limit or respond to consumer reviews. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the CRFA, and believes contracts that prohibit honest reviews or threaten legal action over them harm consumers who rely on reviews when making their purchase decisions—and harm businesses that work hard to earn positive reviews.
In Pennsylvania, as in all states, the Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA) applies to protect consumers' rights to post honest reviews about a business's products, services, or conduct. The CRFA, a federal law, makes it illegal for companies to use contracts that bar or penalize customers for posting negative reviews or testimonials online. This means that businesses operating in Pennsylvania cannot include provisions in their terms of service that impose penalties on consumers for such reviews, nor can they threaten legal action for negative commentary. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing the CRFA and ensuring that consumers can share their experiences without fear of retribution. Pennsylvania businesses must ensure their practices are in compliance with the CRFA to avoid legal consequences enforced by the FTC.