Blumenthal seeks to protect online free speech

HARTFORD - U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is using Cyber Monday to highlight legislation designed to protect free speech in online reviews after reports that consumers are being sued or threatened for posting negative reviews.

“From toys and tools to hotels and services, families across Connecticut are turning to online reviews this holiday season to decide how and where to spend their money,” Blumenthal said.

“Consumers have a right to expect that those reviews are honest, not censored and scrubbed. My bill will make sure that companies cannot hide behind hidden contract language to quash these truthful reviews,” he said.

The senator said a New York hotel recently threatened to penalize newlyweds $500 for every negative review posted by anyone attending their wedding. In another case, an online retailer demanded $3,500 and from a consumer who posted online - truthfully -that the company had failed to send a Christmas present she had ordered for her husband, he said.

Blumenthal plans to announce his legislation Monday at 11 a.m. in room 1B of the Legislative Office Building within the Capitol complex in Hartford.