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 Rhode Island, as in all states, the Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA) applies to protect consumers' rights to post honest reviews and opinions about businesses' 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 honest opinions online, including on social media platforms. This means that businesses operating in Rhode Island must ensure that their contracts and practices do not include provisions that infringe on the rights protected by the CRFA. Violations of the CRFA are enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which can take action against businesses that attempt to suppress honest consumer feedback. Rhode Island businesses must comply with the CRFA and cannot legally threaten or take legal action against consumers for posting honest reviews, whether those reviews are positive or negative.