TripAvisor removed warnings of rapes, blackouts, injuries

[Cecil Terwilliger]

An investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel — published Nov. 1 — revealed that TripAdvisor had deleted reports of rapes, blackouts and other injuries and deaths among travelers vacationing in Mexico.

Since then, dozens of more people who have traveled around the world have told the Journal Sentinel that TripAdvisor silenced their reports of disturbing, sometimes terrifying experiences.

The Federal Trade Commission is now looking into TripAdvisor’s business practices, according to a letter sent Friday to U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who had urged the agency to take action.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/...orl/884167001/

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/...say/817172001/


I've previously read about sites removing bad reviews to protect restaurants and hotels but to help hide information that could lead to people being victims of some pretty serious crimes is next level ####ed up.

[Travis Munroe]

I am torn without reading too much into it. It is too easy for a company's reputation to be ruined by bogus reviews. Does tripadvisor have the resources to investigate each case and confirm the accusations? Who does trip advisor really work for, the vacationers or resorts or both? (I ask that in seriousness wondering if resorts pay trip advisor for high rankings or things like that).

If the investigation finds actual crimes that were proven or someone was charged and then they removed them, that is absolutely next level but if someone posts that they were drugged and don't remember anything when they really just drank way to much, is that fair for the resort?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

They definitely removed confirmed events. A woman who was raped at knife point had her post removed. The accused is on trial.

In another one a pub owner was filming women in the bathroom and was arrested for it and it was in the news. The posts about that were removed too.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

They definitely removed confirmed events. A woman who was raped at knife point had her post removed. The accused is on trial.

In another one a pub owner was filming women in the bathroom and was arrested for it and it was in the news. The posts about that were removed too.

Since when is "on trial" or "arrested" confirmation of an event?

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by SebC

Since when is "on trial" or "arrested" confirmation of an event?

And in these instances, were the reviews posted and removed before anyone was arrested? We can say the event may be verified now, but at the time, was it?

[snootchiebootchies]

Originally Posted by SebC

Since when is "on trial" or "arrested" confirmation of an event?

But if they wait for the accused to be convicted, it wouldn't matter anymore whether Tripadvisor decides to publish these warnings or not because the danger has been removed as the perpetrator is likely in jail. Isn't the whole point of Tripadvisor to warn travellers of potentially bad experiences?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by SebC

Since when is "on trial" or "arrested" confirmation of an event?

Good lord man. Try reading the links.

This isn't even up for debate whether TripAdvisor did this. Even they aren't stupid enough to question the validity of these events. These aren't rumours, they are facts. TripAdvisor isn't even disputing that they deleted these posts and that the stories are real. They just claim it isn't something they want on their site. The articles even state that TripAdvisor is reviewing their practices.

The only question is whether it is ethical and possibly worthy of government intervention to prevent this. Hence why a US Senator is asking the FTC to investigate.

[GGG]

It's probably a double edge sword. Websites can be sued if they allow the posting of false information. Hence the don't post rumours the the E=NG thread or Brian Burkes law suits. On the other hand people should be warned.

The other aspect would be is the establishment at fault or not. Say at a bar someone got stabbed. Is it a fair review to say that I got stabbed their you should go or did the stabbing just happen to occur there and was as likely as any other bar.

If the owner was filming people in the bathroom that's different than if a patron was filing
Someone in the bathroom.

I think the key for me though on whether this is above board or not would be if Trup Adviser was paid on the basis of removing negative reviews.

[Weitz]

I'm curious what effect that tainted alcohol "controversy" in Mexico has to do with this. As in maybe trip advisor will only leave things up once people are convicted?

[GreenLantern2814]

I've been wondering recently, what must the rate of assault be at some of these all-inclusive resorts? With all the Title IX in the news regarding college campuses, I can't really believe some hotel in a 2nd or 3rd world country plying patrons with unlimited free booze is also Consentville.

[Huntingwhale]

The cartels got to them.