TripAdvisor adds safety warnings on pages with reviews
In response to widespread criticism for removing claims of sexual assault from its forums to keep them “family friendly,” TripAdvisor has started placing warning symbols — or “badges” — on the review pages of hotels and businesses where rape and other safety incidents have been reported.
The travel and restaurant review website has placed warnings on the pages of three popular resorts in the coastal town of Playa del Carmen in Mexico: the Iberostar Paraiso Maya, the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo and the Grand Velas Riviera Maya. A red banner box appears at the top of those pages with a warning that reads: “TripAdvisor has been made aware of recent media reports or events concerning this property which may not be reflected in reviews found on this listing. Accordingly, you may wish to perform additional research for information about this property when making your travel plans.”
While the warnings do not cite specific reported incidents, they are meant to alert customers of possible health and safety issues including theft, sexual assault, rape and discrimination, company spokesman Brian Hoyt said. The warnings are also meant to encourage customers to do more research before booking their stays, Hoyt said, including looking up additional information outside of TripAdvisor. “Our vetting of news reports continues, and it is likely more businesses will receive this badge as more information is reviewed,” Hoyt said.
TripAdvisor will flag businesses for a minimum of three months, he said, and the decision on whether to remove the badge after a three-month period will be made by a committee.
The new feature comes after a lengthy investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel documented repeated instances where TripAdvisor removed posts warning of alleged rape, assault or other injuries at some Mexican resorts.
In addition to the warnings, Hoyt said, TripAdvisor will begin to explain to users why it chooses to reject some reviews and forum posts.
The company will clearly explain to users the phrasing or sentences in a review that violate the website’s guidelines, Hoyt said, and invite users to edit and resubmit their reviews.