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 Virginia, as in all states, the Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA) applies to protect consumers' rights to post honest reviews about businesses and their products, services, or conduct. The CRFA, a federal law, makes it illegal for companies to use contracts that impose penalties on customers for posting negative reviews or that restrict customers from sharing their genuine, honest opinions in any forum, including online platforms like social media. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing the CRFA. Virginia businesses must ensure that their practices are in compliance with the CRFA, which means they cannot include terms in their contracts that would penalize customers for posting negative reviews or otherwise suppress their freedom to express their honest experiences. Violations of the CRFA can lead to legal action by the FTC against businesses that attempt to restrict these consumer rights.