WASHINGTON—The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a technology policy think tank, today released the following statement from Daniel Castro, ITIF vice president, commending passage of the Consumer Review Fairness Act in the U.S. House of Representatives:

One of the defining benefits of the Digital economy is the ‘wisdom of the crowd,’ where consumers have access to unbiased feedback about products and services. Protecting online speech, especially complaints or criticisms, is necessary for online markets to function efficiently. Using non-disparagement clauses to silence negative public feedback undermines a key part of the digital economy and makes consumers and businesses worse off.

We commend the House for passing the Consumer Review Fairness Act because the protections offered in the bill will help ensure that the benefits of lawful free speech continue in the digital marketplace and that non-disparagement clauses aren’t used to silence citizens’ basic rights to freedom of expression in the digital marketplace.