The Italian government is moving forward with a significant crackdown on online reviews, particularly for the tourism and restaurant sectors. The goal is clear: to fight the enormous plague of fake reviews—both positive ones “bought” by businesses and negative ones “orchestrated” by competitors.

According to a study by the European Commission (2022), a staggering 55% of reviews are potentially misleading, yet 70% of consumers use them as a key factor in their purchasing decisions. This is a problem that erodes trust and distorts the market.

The New Rules (Perhaps Starting This Year):

The text of the bill on SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), which passed the Senate and is awaiting final approval by the Chamber of Deputies, introduces very strict limits:

  • Tight Time Limits: Reviews can only be left within 30 days of enjoying the service or purchasing the product (the original decree proposed only 15 days).
  • Automatic Expiration: Reviews will have an “expiration date” and will be automatically removed two years after publication.
  • Proof of Purchase: For reviews that platforms label as “verified,” users may be required to provide proof of purchase, such as a receipt or invoice (“fiscal documentation”).

Important: The regulation specifically applies to reviews concerning products and services offered by restaurant businesses, tourist facilities (accommodation and spas), and tourist attractions located in Italy. Reviewing a book or a movie, for example, remains unrestricted.

The Debate: Freedom vs. Fairness

The crackdown is welcomed by hoteliers and restaurateurs, who have long called for greater protection against “keyboard warriors” and orchestrated smear campaigns.

However, associations such as Adiconsum and Netcomm (e-commerce association) have expressed strong concerns. The requirement for fiscal documentation and such rigid time limits could, in fact, stifle spontaneity and freedom of expression among users, making the review process overly bureaucratic.

The Question Remains: Is this the right way to ensure genuine feedback? Or does it risk introducing a de facto “censorship” on real (perhaps negative) experiences that a user remembers months after the service was used?

Source and Details: Dite addio alle recensioni fake (si spera): stretta Governo sui commenti