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 South Carolina, as in all states, the Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA) applies, protecting consumers' rights to post honest reviews about a business's products, services, or conduct. This federal law makes it illegal for companies to use contracts that bar or penalize customers for posting negative reviews or sharing their honest experiences online, including on social media platforms. The CRFA ensures that any clauses in a contract that restrict a customer's ability to post a review, or penalize them for doing so, are void and unenforceable. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing the CRFA and can take action against businesses that fail to comply. South Carolina businesses must adhere to the CRFA and cannot legally enforce contract terms that would suppress honest consumer feedback.